Conservation
Sharks are being unsustainably over fished all over the world. One way or another up to 100 million sharks are being caught each year resulting in species depletions of between 60% and 89% in the North West Atlantic.
Extinct is forever and extinction is just around the corner for many species unless effective action is taken soon. Not only are sharks being killed possibly in greater numbers than has happened to any group of animals before, but many sharks are having their fins cut off while they are still alive. Never before in man's abuse of nature have we cut body parts off huge numbers of animals and not even bothered to kill them but just left them to die!
Does it matter? Many would say that the only good shark is a dead shark, and that as sharks are a threat to man we are better off without them, but the answer is yes it does matter and for the following reasons.
The only good shark is not a dead shark, we need healthy oceans and as the top link in the ocean food chain sharks are a vital part of healthy oceans.
Sharks are a threat to man but the threat is so small as to be almost discountable for most people. In the year 2007 shark attacks are believed to have caused the death of only six humans the world over. Bee stings, road deaths, snakebites, and thousands of other things caused many more deaths.
Can mankind really in all conscience live with the enormous cruelty of hundreds of thousands of animals being dismembered while alive and of the destruction of the up-to 100 million of one group of animals? We think not.
The Shark Conservation Society is not a registered charity, it is a membership society which supports specific shark conservation projects. Anyone wishing to help with shark conservation at any level should consider joining S.C.S.
Our work is highly effective because funds are accurately directed to where they are needed and get there with nothing having been creamed off. We are asking the questions, getting the answers and making the world aware of the plight faced by sharks.