American Elasmobranch Society Annual Meeting
A core objective of our Shark Conservation Campaign is to promote the repsonsible management and conservation of elasmobranch fishes. Toward that end, we have teamed up with the Save Our Seas Foundation and the American Elasmobranch Society (AES) to sponsor a symposium centered on the study of stress physiology in sharks, skates and rays.
The symposium "The Physiological Stress Response in Elasmobranch Fishes" was presented at the annual AES meeting on July 11, 2010 in Providence, RI. A summary of this presentation will be posted soon — be sure to check back for more details.
For more details about our work with elasmobranchs, see the article in the latest issue of our newsletter. Click here to download.
SHARK CONSERVATION CAMPAIGN
Increasingly, human activity is exerting negative impacts on shark populations. Due to diminishing numbers of other commercially available fish species, many sharks are now being over harvested as a food resource in many areas where they were previously unexploited. In addition, habitat destruction and pollution are presenting added long-term problems for many sharks. Because many species of sharks exhibit slow growth, late maturity, and low fecundity, they are particularly vulnerable to rapid population declines. This campaign is addressing these issues, as well as the pervasive misinformation/lack of education about sharks in general.
PROJECTS
Formation of the SOSF-FCF Shark Conservation Consortium
FCF has partnered with the Save Our Seas Foundation (SOSF) to form the SOSF-FCF Shark Conservation Consortium (SCC). The SCC has been set up to serve as a focal point for the two foundations to develop a variety of joint activities and address an array of global threats to shark populations, including shark finning activities.
Currently, FCF and SOSF are working with the Bahamian Government to design and implement an education/outreach project in the Bahamas that would use the ongoing SOSF-supported shark conservation research being conducted at the Cape Eleuthera Institute as a focal point for educating Bahamian students and training Bahamian teachers about shark conservation needs.
Keep an eye out here for updates and more information.
Effects of Inshore Pollution
To focus concern on the plight of coast shark species, FCF has assisted with scientists at Mote Marine Laboratory to produce a video that describes the negative impacts of inshore pollution on coastal sharks. Learn more about the long-lasting impact of human pollution on sharks and what we can do to support the shark population by viewing this informative video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDLTOZqW9hU.
New Shark Handbook Available Now
Our own Shark Conservation Campaign Leader and noted shark expert, Dr. Greg Skomal, has recently published . This handbook is written for the public and promotes the transfer of sound scientific information from the hands-on professional perspective of a shark biologist. It contains a complete listing of every known shark in existence, as well as some extinct species — over 450 species! Divided into two sections, the first section of the book covers shark evolution; general biology and life history; conservation, the truth about attacks; and classification. The second section lists and describes the many orders, families, and species of sharks. The photography, done by professional underwater and award-winning photographer Nick Caloyianis, is both vivid and stunning. Whether a curious observer or a true shark lover, this comprehensive new handbook is both informative and thoroughly fascinating.
CAMPAIGN CONTACTS:
Greg Skomal (FCF)
David Philipp (FCF)
Robert Hueter (FCF)
Email the Shark Conservation Campaign: SC at fishconserve.org
Photo: Andrew Skinner