Archived Articles - 2007

Brussels: The Shark Alliance is pleased over new EU restrictions on shark fishing, yet still deeply concerned that fishing limits for these vulnerable species are not in line with scientific advice. In addition, excessive limits allowed for other fish species is likely to increase the number of sharks killed incidentally, (known as "bycatch").

Populations of two species of shark, used for their meat and consumed mainly in the EU, are on the verge of collapse. The fate of spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks depends on the outcome of the Fourteen Conference of CITES Parties (CoP14) that will be hosted by the Netherlands in June 2007.

Did you know that by just slightly changing our eating habits we can help preserve the underwater environment? Every year there are fewer and fewer fish in the sea. According to the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC, an independent, global, non-profit organisation), sixty per cent of the world's fish resources are in danger of being over-exploited.

Two shark species have some new friends as both Basking and Whale Sharks were added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) during the last meeting in Santiago, Chile.

President of Mozambique, Joaquim Alberto Chissano, recently declared 1400 square kilometers/541 square miles of ocean surrounding the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park along the east Africa coast a marine reserve. This landmark decision should set a precedent for future ocean-related issues.
The Bazaruto Archipelago is composed of five islands, Bazaruto, Benguera, Bangue, Magaruque and Santa Carolina, located approximately 30 kilometres/19 miles off the coast of Mozambique between the towns of Vilancilo and Inhassoro. The islands’ 156 square kilometer/60 square mile land area was designated a national park in 1971.

There has never been a more important time to stand up for the UK’s marine life. This year the Government released a Marine Bill White Paper called a “Sea Change” that hopefully will translate into new regulation to better protect and manage UK seas. Both PADI and Project AWARE have responded during the process of consultation. The Marine Bill provides a great opportunity to create a new framework for the seas, to establish a strategic system of marine planning, and to balance conservation, energy and resource needs.

The Shark Alliance highlights the conclusion by the Scientific Council of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) that 35 species of migratory sharks and rays considered Threatened by the IUCN (World Conservation Union), also meet the criteria for listing under the Convention on Migratory Species.

Bush Administration Calls for Greater Protection of Nation's Coral Reefs WASHINGTON—The Bush Administration delivered proposed legislation to Congress today calling for greater protection for the nation’s coral reefs. The bill, the Coral Reef Ecosystem Conservation Amendment Act of 2007, reauthorizes

The iconic whale sharks that congregate at Ningaloo Reef off Western Australia are declining in number, according to a recent study published in the Journal of Animal Ecology.

Fewer big sharks in the oceans mean that bay scallops and other shellfish may be harder to find at the market, according to an article in the March 30 issue of the journal Science, tying two unlikely links in the food web to the same fate.

WASHINGTON - More fish species have been added to the list of species classified as experiencing overfishing since last year than have been taken off, according to the National Marine Fisheries Service's (NMFS) report on the status of U.S. marine fisheries for 2006 released today.

Scientists, environmentalists and other members of the Shark Alliance are calling on France, one of the world's most important players in shark fishing and trade, to use its power to improve the outlook for these imperilled species.

Scientists, environmentalists and other members of the Shark Alliance are calling on France, one of the world's most important players in shark fishing and trade, to use its power to improve the outlook for these imperilled species.

July 2007 - The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service have joined forces to expand their ability to analyze dried shark fins and identify the species from which they were removed.

The outcome of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of CITES Parties (CoP14) hosted by the Netherlands between June 3 and 15 of 2007 was disappointing for the many organizations and coalitions, including Project AWARE, who worked hard to promote better shark fisheries management.

WASHINGTON -- Corals stressed by warming conditions may benefit from the passage of a hurricane -- as long as it doesn't slam right into them. Bleaching of corals has been a growing problem in recent years with the loss of algae or reduction of pigment in the living corals that occurs when they are stressed by warming water.

July 15, 2007 - Scientists, conservationists and many government officials expressed outrage when a proposal to protect precious red corals from international trade was reversed today.

Project AWARE supports a group of researchers using ground breaking technology to achieve real research results for whale sharks in the wild.

A critical habitat for the endangered grey nurse shark off the mid-north coast of New South Wales has been protected by the New South Wales Federal Government.

Taiwan has placed a ban on the harvest and sale of whale sharks – the largest fish in the world in danger of extinction. The move is welcomed by Project AWARE who gather vital data on the numbers and migrations of this threatened species.

Taiwan has placed a ban on the harvest and sale of whale sharks – the largest fish in the world in danger of extinction. The move is welcomed by Project AWARE who gather vital data on the numbers and migrations of this threatened species.

Mercury in Chilean Seabass Problem Underscores Need for Federal Testing of Imports Seafood Industry Claims Contradict Accepted Science

SAN DIEGO-The world's first certified sustainable tuna fishery was announced today, a move that could help save one of the world's most valuable fish - and the fishing industry that relies on it - from extinction.

Landmark "Central Coast" Marine Protected Areas Will Be in Effect September 21 California's Marine Life Protection Act Launched as First Region Opens  31 August 2007 California's landmark

Dramatic increase in shark fishing, fuelled by the lucrative shark fin market, is threatening already endangered species along the NSW coast. Long-line fishing methods used by shark fishermen are believed to be responsible for indiscriminate shark catches environment groups say are endangering populations of grey nurse sharks, classified as critically endangered, and the vulnerable great white shark.

Project AWARE Makes The Big Switch Divers and water enthusiasts are urged to join the campaign to dramatically cut greenhouse pollution. Divers witness first hand the devastating impact climate change has on the ocean and its inhabitants. Swift action is

22 October 2007: More than 50 scientists of the ARC Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies have declared a consensus on coral reef futures.

In the most recent IUCN Red List, coral has been listed as critically endangered for the first time. And now there are calls to declare The Coral Sea a marine protected area. The Coral Sea is a global diving hot spot and one of the few places you can still see large shark populations.

Project AWARE and the Shark Alliance call for global support to restore and conserve threatened shark populations.

Marine Conservation Goes Virtual  Project AWARE Among First International Nonprofits on Second Life Project AWARE Foundation is among the first environmental nonprofit organizations addressing aquatic conservation issues in the online virtual world of Second Life. Second Life residents are visiting

Representatives of the Project AWARE Foundation and the Shark Alliance from all over Europe joined forces to push for an end to shark overfishing.  

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — More shark and ray species are to be classified as endangered on a global watch list in another sign that the planet's oceans are in trouble, a leading scientist said on Wednesday.

The Shark Alliance and coalition member organization Project AWARE are highlighting with concern the growing number of European sharks and rays

Corals Added to IUCN Red List of Threatened Species for the First Time 12 September 2007 Arlington, Virginia – For the first time in history, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species includes ocean corals in its annual report of

Scientists Fear Rare Dolphin Driven To Extinction by Human Activities, Other Species Also Vulnerable   11 September 2007 An international research team, including biologists from NOAA Fisheries Service, has reported in an online scientific journal that it had failed to

SMS Can Tell You If Fish Is Endangered The Southern African Sustainable Seafood Initiative (SASSI) is a public awareness and educational project that aims to inform seafood consumers and dealers about legal and conservation issues surrounding seafood and aims to promote legal and sustainable seafood choices.