To read an article entitled, "Shark Populations Dwindle; Plan to Save Sharks Still Not Implemented." at the ibtimes (International Business Times) website please click on the following link:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/105752/20110127/united-nations-food-and-agriculture-organization-shark-fishing-fins-great-white-shark-whale-shark-bl.htm
The news in this article certainly is alarming! As stated in the article:
"Shark population continues to decline as unregulated fishing increases to meet the high demand for fins. A new analysis finds that the international plan, which was approved by members of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UNFAO) in 2001, has yet to be fully implemented."
"There is little evidence that the plan has contributed significantly to improved conservation and management of sharks, as 30 percent of all shark species is now threatened or near threatened with extinction."
"According to the review of the new analysis "The Future of Sharks: A Review of Action and Inaction" by the UN FAO, only 13 of the top 20 shark-catching countries and other entities have developed national plans of action to protect sharks -- one of the primary recommendations from 2001 -- and it remains unclear how those plans have been implemented or if they have been effective. "
This is so disturbing to find out that so many countries are not willing to engage in actions which will help sharks maintain their numbers in the waters of this planet! It shows how selfish some people in some countries are and that education of the people in these countries who are wantonly killing sharks must occur soon if Sharks are to have any chance of surviving as a species on this planet! There are no valid excuses for not having plans in place to save this important species of life on our planet!
Source of image: http://www.flickr.com/groups/780083@N23/
