Source:Â NIWA
A lack of information about New Zealand oceanic shark populations is making it difficult to assess how well they are doing, says a NIWA researcher.
New research published in premier science journal Nature last week, with input from NIWA, showed the global population of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by more than 70 per cent in the past 50 years, with ongoing decline likely to lead to the extinction of some species.
NIWA fisheries scientist Dr Brit Finucci says New Zealand waters are home to about 113 shark species and their relatives, of which 20 are considered oceanic, meaning they spend most of their time in the open ocean.
Press Release – NIWA A lack of information about New Zealand oceanic shark populations is making it difficult to assess how well they are doing, says a NIWA researcher. New research published in premier science journal Nature last week, with input from NIWA, showed the global …
A lack of information about New Zealand oceanic shark populations is making it difficult to assess how well they are doing, says a NIWA researcher.
New research published in premier science journal Nature last week, with input from NIWA, showed the global population of oceanic sharks and rays has declined by more than 70 per cent in the past 50 years, with ongoing decline likely to lead to the extinction of some species.
Wednesday, 3 February 2021, 8:12 am
A lack of information about New Zealand oceanic shark
populations is making it difficult to assess how well they
are doing, says a NIWA researcher.
New research
published in premier science journal Nature last week, with
input from NIWA, showed the global population of oceanic
sharks and rays has declined by more than 70 per cent in the
past 50 years, with ongoing decline likely to lead to the
extinction of some species.
NIWA fisheries scientist
Dr Brit Finucci says New Zealand waters are home to about
113 shark species and their relatives, of which 20 are
considered oceanic, meaning they spend most of their time in
Immediate action is needed to prevent the collapse of shark populations and the negative consequences that will follow for linked economic and ecological systems. There is an urgent need for governments to adopt science-based catch limits for oceanic sharks that are capable of supporting sustainable fisheries, along with bycatch mitigation,” Finucci said. There are around 113 shark species and their relatives living in New Zealand waters, 20 of which are oceanic – meaning they spend most of their time in the open ocean. Oceanic species include whitetips, basking sharks, shortfin makos, smooth hammerheads and common thresher sharks. These species range from globally critically endangered to globally vulnerable.
Sustainable conversations: Informed fish eaters
Bite
Renee and Damaris Coulter own Coco’s Cantina on K Road and this is their sustainable conversation on fish.
Last year we decided to turn the fish of the day on the Coco’s menu into sustainable seafood of the day . This was controversial as the fish of the day was our most popular dish!
We decided to change because.
a) we already used free range chicken, pork and eggs so why wouldn t we source sustainable seafood?
b) we wanted to use fishing methods that were friendlier to the overall ocean as well as fishermen who had sustainable practices in place. This also meant we could support smaller boats over the bigger boats owned by overseas companies.