New Book Highlights Global Plight of Oceanic Sharks

Ocean Conservancy welcomes the release of Sharks of the Open Ocean, a new book that brings together for the first time a wealth of information on the biology, fisheries, population status, and conservation needs of pelagic (open ocean) sharks. The publication focuses on 12 of these wide-ranging species, including threshers, makos, porbeagles, great whites and blue sharks. 

This authoritative volume contains in-depth contributions from virtually all the world’s pelagic shark experts. Its chapters document a global problem of overfishing and depletion in most pelagic shark populations.  Some species have already declined by 80-90% and yet remain virtually unprotected.  The book offers a sound scientific basis and practical roadmap for corrective action by a variety of policy making bodies.

"The take-home message is clear: despite their widespread distribution, sharks of the open ocean have suffered serious depletion and current fishing levels are not sustainable," said lead editor, Dr. Merry Camhi.

Dr. Camhi collaborated with Ocean Conservancy shark conservation program director, Sonja Fordham, on the book’s management chapter. In it, they highlight the lack of international restrictions for these wide-ranging species despite the limited reproductive capacity that makes sharks among the seas’ most vulnerable inhabitants. 

The authors note that only one of the 12 species addressed the great white shark is listed under international wildlife treaties and protected by several nations. They highlight the plight of especially depleted populations, such as the North Atlantic porbeagle, and explain how too many finning bans, like that of the EU, are insufficiently stringent to ensure an end to the wasteful practice.

In order to prevent irreparable collapse of shark populations and ensure that shark fisheries are sustainable, the authors call on countries to immediately adopt restrictions on pelagic shark fishing, protection for particularly depleted populations, stronger bans on finning, and a overall higher priority for these species.

"We have the tools to reverse these trends. If we can muster the will to restrict shark catches and err on the side of caution, we can restore these magnificent predators and thereby improve the health of our oceans," said Camhi.

The management chapter includes a list of specific recommendations for conservation and management actions.

"This landmark book provides timely advice for national and international fishery managers," added Fordham.  "Above all, it demonstrates that even the widest ranging shark species are susceptible to overfishing and that stringent limits on catch are essential and urgently needed to guard against further depletion of shark populations."

Buy the Book: Sharks of the Open Ocean is available March 14 in the United Kingdom and March 28 in the United States. Pre-order at Barnes and Noble or Blackwell Publishing.

All active news articles