North Atlantic Sharks in Steep Decline; Southeast Asia Nations Act To Aid Sea Turtles

January 2003

[cogitator]

Bad news for the sharks; slightly better news for the turtles.

[CasearianDaoist]

They should have a peek at Long Island,

[mg39]

Bad news for all of us. Life began in the oceans, and is sustained by the oceans. If things go bad there, eventually they'll go bad here.

[traditionalist]

Interesting. So most of the problem comes from accidental capture.

[Capt. Tom]

"We estimate that all recorded shark species, with the exception of makos, have declined by more than 50 percent in the past eight to 15 years,"

A shortfin mako goes airborne on Capt. Tom's line.

[cogitator]

Interesting. So most of the problem comes from accidental capture.

Actually, I think the core of the problem is slow reproduction, and in the case of the turtles, a reproductive behavior [egg-laying on beaches] that is very vulnerable to a host of factors (predators, human consumption, storms, etc.)

[boomop1]

Someone better tell Major Owens.

[traditionalist]

I heard Makos are some of the few shark species that taste good. It's surprising, therefore, that they aren't being over-fished.

[CPOSharky]

Body of the text:

...thought to be...
We estimate...
...to extrapolate...
...is believed...
...could lead...
...may initiate...
...might offer...

Whilst the first and last paragraph state conclusions as if they were fact.

[John H K]

Makos are being overfished, just not as much as other species.

Thresher is also very good. Seems like I've seen a lot more threshers last few years (I don't fish for sharks, but Threshers will come to about 15-20 miles and I see their tails while I'm fishing for something else.)

[Capt. Tom]

I heard Makos are some of the few shark species that taste good. It's surprising, therefore, that they aren't being over-fished.

What helps the makos is they are loners and don't group up. They are all over the world from Lat 50 north to Lat 50 south and in waters over 50 degrees.

Also they are a violent fish, and when hooked on a longline often can cut themselves loose with violent contortions.

This shark can out jump anything in the ocean., including the trained dolphins at seaworld. - Tom

[Henchster]

You left out that Makos are the fastest sharks, even capable of running down billfish. One look at that THICK tail and pointed nose lets you know, they are built for SPEED!

[Capt. Tom]

You left out that Makos are the fastest sharks, even capable of running down billfish

I was giving the short version. For a longer version go here:

http://www.newenglandsharks.com/shortfin.htm

[sharkdiver]

I have been teaching people to scuba dive with sharks for over 25 years. I can tell you for a fact that the shark population in the Atlantic is declining. It's pathetic. It makes me sick. Shark meat is excellent when eaten but for long liners to deliberately use equiptment that hooks sharks and kills them to be cast back into the sea as a by product of fishing for tuna is dispicable. Sharks are a necessary part of the ecosystem. Even I recognize that when I go scuba diving with sharks I am just visiting.

[CPOSharky]

I agree with you 100 %. I also have some time diving. However the point is that the article makes a bunch of vague statements and draws a specific conclusion. How many people read only the first and/or last paragraph and think it is a valid conclusion?

[sharkdiver]

i don't know how many only read the first and last paragraph. What would be the point. Long liners in their quest for tuna and other fish kill many sharks as a by product of their fishing. By using an differant type of hook the sharks are many times able to break free and survive. I whole heartily support the fishing industry I just hope that the fisherman see that sharks are a viable and necessary part of the health of the oceans.

[traditionalist]

Is thresher the species whose meat typically sold in supermarkets?

[traditionalist]

What are the shark's chances of survival with a hook in its mouth?

[Poohbah]

I know how to repopulate the sharks...

Throw a bunch of attorneys into the North Atlantic :o)

[Henchster]

WOW! Super stuff on your site about the NE Mako. Living in SoCal, we get smaller, but no less agressive Makos, and they do have attitude. I think I'd be more worried being in the water with a Mako than any other shark except MAYBE a Tiger or Bull.