Additionally, catch levels may have experienced

a certain amount of resiliency if fishers started using other, lower-value species or smaller individuals that were previously discarded. The species composition of the fin trade has not been assessed for more than a decade [9], hence this should become a research priority. Further, the apparent failure of anti-finning laws to curb global mortality may indicate that these laws have yet to be adequately enforced [24]. On the other hand, anti-finning laws primarily address animal welfare selleck screening library and food security issues (i.e. to reduce waste). Although an important first step, these policies are not explicitly designed to reduce catch or ensure sustainability. The premise that anti-finning Belinostat cell line legislation would contribute to sustainable fisheries rests on the assumption that most fishermen target sharks for their fins only, and would refrain from targeting sharks if they had to retain the carcass. This assumption is weak. Many

countries consume shark meat [25] and fishermen opt to land whole sharks, even if the meat is not as valuable as the fins. Several at-risk shark species are generally kept rather than being finned in certain pelagic fisheries where freezer space is limited [24]. It is not surprising that anti-finning measures have been introduced widely given the intense public pressure that arose, especially since anti-finning laws are more palatable

to industry than stringent catch reductions when local markets for the meat exist. In contrast, the monitoring, assessment and enforcement capacity required to sustainably manage shark fisheries is often perceived by regulatory agencies as being prohibitively costly relative to the simple adoption of anti-finning legislation. Regardless, some nations have recently invested in sustainable shark fisheries management, introducing catch limits, effort Non-specific serine/threonine protein kinase control, time-area closures, and other protective measures for the most vulnerable species. In some cases, such local measures appear to have been successful in halting declines [8]. The findings reported here highlight the fact that shark conservation policies generally need to focus on sustainability, as there is no evidence that a legislative focus on anti-finning has reduced global landings and shark mortality rates. From a legislative perspective, an important question to consider is what proportion of shark species may be at risk from extinction? According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group, 28% of assessed and non-data deficient shark species are globally at risk of extinction, i.e. classed as vulnerable, endangered or critically endangered (Table 6). A small number of these species are now receiving protection through national and international agreements.