Shark and ray species commonly caught in the Mediterranean and Black seas are not being reported in official statistics, new research from the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia shows.
Shark and ray species commonly caught in the Mediterranean and Black seas are not being reported in official statistics, new research from the Sea Around Us initiative at the University of British Columbia shows.
A new study published in Marine Policy reveals that 97 per cent of the sharks and rays caught and brought to market domestically by fleets from the European, North African and Middle Eastern countries that surround these seas are not reported by species.
“The Mediterranean and Black Seas have historically harboured a high diversity and abundance of sharks and rays, but now between 53 per cent and 71 per cent of them face an elevated risk of extinction,” said Madeline Cashion, lead author of the study, who carried out the research at the Sea Around Us initiative at UBC’s Institute for the Oceans and Fisheries.
By not keeping track of the different species of sharks and rays that they are bringing to port, countries may be further threatening those already at risk.
Read more at University of British Columbia
Photo Credit: christels via Pixabay
