Human Problems (from a shark’s viewpoint) 193
Why do people hunt sharks?
At least 100 million sharks, skates, and rays are marketed annually; an
equal number may die as bycatch in fisheries. The numbers are hard to nail
down because landing statistics are collected carelessly and fisheries are
regulated inadequately (see the next question). In addition, these numbers
do not include subsistence and recreational fishing, the impacts of which
have only recently gained the attention they deserve.
But sharks are and have been sought for a large variety of products and
reasons. Shark meat is low in fat and provides a good source of protein for
people living in many parts of the world, although contamination with pol-
lutants such as mercury and various pesticides has become an issue in re-
cent years (see “Is it safe to eat sharks?” in chapter 9). Shark liver oil is high
in vitamin A and was a chief source of that vitamin before it could be syn-
thesized in laboratories. Many pollutants are concentrated in shark livers,
calling into question the advisability of using the oil as a food stuff. Fins are
used to make shark fin soup (see “What is finning?” below). One popular
item is stingray wings, often cut into circular pieces and passed off as scal-
lops by less-than-scrupulous venders, though this practice attests to how
tasty they are, since the ruse often succeeds. A large variety of useful drugs
and other substances are derived from various shark products (see “Are any
medicines made from sharks?” in chapter 8).
Sharks are also caught for pure sport. As large, active predators, many
sharks put up a spectacular fight when caught with sport-fishing gear (oth-
ers just pull slowly). Makos and threshers will jump when hooked. Shark
fishing derbies were once common but have grown increasingly scarce as
we learn how depleted shark populations have become in many places. Re-
strictions against shark fishing have grown stronger, to the point that sport
fishers can only land and keep one or two sharks per day in most locales.
Catch-and-release fishing has become increasingly common, but several
shark species (hammerheads in particular) have low survival rates when re-
leased.
How are shark fisheries managed?
Poorly in most countries. Few countries have effective regulations af-
fecting shark fishing. New Zealand instituted shark management in 1986,
followed by Australia in 1988; the United States, Brazil, Canada, Costa
Rica, the European Union, Mexico, Israel, the Maldives, and the Philip-
pines have also established regulations, with many other countries consid-
ering legislation. Unfortunately, enforcement often lags far behind the pas-
sage of regulations around the world.