CITES Opens This Week!

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), the treaty between 184 nations to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten the survival of a species, convenes November 14-25 in Panama City, Panama. Shark Research Institute scientists will be in force at CITES, working to secure protection for additional species and prevent removal of protections we've won for 70 species of elasmobranchs at CITES throughout the past 20 years.

We are supporting the four proposals to  provide addition protection with listing on CITES Appendix II: 19 species of requiem sharks (Carcharinidae), all species of hammerhead sharks (Sphyrnidae), seven species of freshwater stingrays endemic to Brazil, and guitarfishes (Rhinobatidae). While a CITES Appendix II listing will not prohibit trade outright, it would regulate it by requiring export permits certifying the exporting nation is satisfied the catch is legal and sustainable, which would help mitigate overexploitation. We are also supporting proposals to expand protection for elephants, rhinos, several species of birds as well as other threatened species.

Sharks Move Closer to Extinction

Oceanic sharks are inching closer to extinction from years of overfishing, while other ocean species such as tuna and billfish ─ which were managed at sustainable levels ─ have recovered. Historical data recorded by Regional Fisheries Management Bodies on 52 populations of 18 different species of tuna, billfish, and sharks was analyzed. The study determined that half of the world’s oceanic sharks are facing extinction. The global population of sharks and rays has crashed by more than 70% in the past 50 years, with massive ongoing losses pushing many species towards extinction.

Historically, a lack of data has made it difficult to manage or assess sharks populations in the international trade. According to a 2021 study,

based on IUCN reassessments of 1,199 species, more than one-third of sharks, rays and chimeras are endangered with extinction due to overfishing. A paper published earlier this year found that two-thirds of species found in Hong Kong shark fin markets were actually threatened with extinction. A recent Mongabay investigation found that just five longline boats belonging to Dalian Ocean Fishing, one of China’s largest suppliers of sashimi-grade tuna, had harvested roughly 5.1 metric tons of dried shark fin in the western Pacific Ocean in 2019. "That much fin translates to an estimated 843 metric tons of whole shark, which is more than what China reported the nation’s entire longline fleet catching in the same time and place." 

Great Hammerhead Sharks Not on US Endangered Species List

In 2018 & 2019 the International Union for the Conservation of Nature  designated the great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) as critically endangered globally, indicating the species satisfied the listing criteria under the Endangered Species Act. The US National Marine Fisheries Service has decided not to add the species to the Endangered Species List for the following reasons.

The Tiger Sharks of Tiger Beach

Tiger Beach in the Bahamas is famous for its large tiger sharks (Galeocerdo cuvier) that are drawn to the site by local tour operators, who throw fish and other food into the water. The area was dominated by large females, some of them pregnant. A study found the females that frequently visit the area are larger, and have higher hormone levels than other individuals of the same species that spend less time there. A study published in Animal Behaviour points to possible effects of mass tourism on these sharks.

White Sharks, a Tourist Attraction

An aggregation of young great white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) near a popular California beach is becoming a tourist attraction. The juvenile white sharks started feeding on bottom fish and stingrays in the waters around Torrey Pines in the summer and they are still in the area. In 2014 it became illegal to fish for or catch white sharks in California. The sharks are also protected by federal regulations and must be immediately released if caught accidentally. However, anglers started to hook the sharks earlier this fall. On October 30, 2022, the carcass of an eight-foot white shark was found on the shore at Torrey Pines. Authorities believed that the shark died due to "fishing activity".

Egypt Builds a New Pyramid

A new pyramid was just erected in Egypt’s Western Desert but instead of enshrining a pharaoh it draws attention to plastic pollution. The huge structure took five days to build, weighs 20 tons, is taller than a three-story building, and is made using the equivalent of 1 million plastic water bottles collected from the Nile River. It is a message for those attending the Annual UN Climate Conference of signatories to Paris Climate Accord (COP27) in Egypt now through November 18. The time has come to draw a line in the sand and change how we manage plastic pollution and damage to our planet. Those who have the ability, have the responsibility.

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Why & How Humanity is Choosing to Destroy Itself

World leaders have assembled in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP27). But will the talks will generate any radical departure from the relentless rise in global carbon emissions? It was hoped the global pandemic and the lockdowns reduced energy consumption might have shifted the world's economies from their dependence on fossil fuel but when borders re-opened the oil and gas consumption skyrocketed. Last week, a UN report found even if all nations meet their climate goals this decade, the planet will heat to a catastrophic degree.

Learn more

Events

Sea Stories

DATE: Saturday November 12, 2022

TIME: 9:00 am - 7 pm. The event includes continental breakfast, lunch and cocktails in the evening.

LOCATION: The Explorers Club, 46 East 70th Street, New York. 

Book well in advance for Sea Stories! It is an entire day focused on ocean exploration, conservation, scuba diving, shipwrecks, and marine life. This event also offers opportunities for those interested in ocean exploration to interact with leading field professionals and like-minded explorers.

Featured Speakers 

Joe Fiorentino : "During Queen Anne’s war, the 32-gun British HMS Feversham sailed from New York in 1711 to escort three transports to join the British fleet in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, to attack French-controlled Quebec but the ship wrecked in bad weather on Scatarie Island, Cape Breton with the three transports and her payroll of coins. According to coin experts, her treasure represents great diversity spanning from Spanish pieces of eight to early American, pre-Revolutionary War colonial coins."

Alexandra Rose : "From Pole to Pole: Exploration with a Purpose."

Victor Vescovo : "In 2020 Vescovo piloted history’s deepest ever submarine dive in the Pacific’s Mariana Trench. He did it twelve times and in August 2019 became the first person to visit “The Five Deeps,” the deepest point in all five of the world’s oceans. He also made three dives to the Titanic including the only solo dive ever made there, and in 2022 completed the deepest wreck dive in history at the site of the USS Samuel B. Roberts in 22,600 feet (4.3 miles) of water."

Jennifer Idol : "Close up and Comfortable with Sharks"

Marti Broen : "Discovery Journey of the Underwater Cave Systems of Yucatan. This award-winning photographer captures the beauty and secrets of the underworld." 

Tickets are $80 for Members and the General Public, $40 for children (16 years of age or younger). After November 4th, the cost of all tickets will increase by $10 Tickets will NOT be sold at door.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS 

Notes  

SRI Headquarters will be closed November 14-25/26. SRI staff and scientists will be attending the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in Panama, supporting the listing of more shark and ray proposals.

Amazon.com is offering an opportunity to generate donations to the Shark Research Institute at no extra cost to you. Simply start your shopping at smile.amazon.com/ch/22-3110087, confirm "Shark Research Institute, Inc." as your charity of choice, and Amazon will make a donation to our organization.

Consider a tax-deductible year-end gift to the Shark Research Institute. Just mail a check to SRI at PO Box 40, Princeton, NJ 08542, USA, or go to the link on our website.

You may join or renew your membership in the Shark Research Institute, or make a donation of any size at https://www.sharks.org/donate

Note: All donations are tax-deductible from U.S. federal income taxes as

charitable donations and help fund our field research, advocacy and education programs.

Shirts to Show

You Care  

You can show your support for sharks and ocean conservation by wearing one of these shirts. Sizes range from youth to adult XL. Check out the variety of colors and styles from t-shirts, tank tops and hoodies!

Shipping dates vary depending on when orders are placed, but shirts usually arrive within three weeks. To order a shirt, click on the name of the shirt below, then simply select your size, style, and color.

Infinity Sharks

Save Our Sharks

Whale Shark Day

Save Marine Life

 Ban the Shark Fin Trade 

 Protect Great White Sharks

  I Love Sharks

Ray of Hope-1 (Black on light-colored shirts)

Ray of Hope-2 (White on dark-colored shirts) 

White Hai (White on dark-colored shirts)

Kai’s Shadow (Black on light-colored shirts)