Basking to attention

With growing concern about the prospects of many marine species, a report earlier this summer highlighted the plight of pelagic, open ocean sharks, which are increasingly under threat. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) shark specialist group reported that 32 per cent of 64 species of open-sea sharks and rays are under threat of extinction. “Despite mounting threats, sharks remain virtually unprotected on the high seas,” says Sonja Fordham, deputy chair of the IUCN shark group and policy director for the conservation group Shark Alliance. “The vulnerability and lengthy migrations of most openocean sharks call for coordinated international conservation plans. Our report documents serious overfishing of these species, in national and international waters, and demonstrates a clear need for immediate action on a global scale.” IUCN experts classified great hammerhead, scalloped hammerhead and giant devil rays as globally endangered. Smooth hammerhead, great white, basking and oceanic whitetip are classified as globally vulnerable to extinction. Many open ocean sharks are taken mainly in high seas tuna and Feature