‘The threat of extinction for European Dipturus together with mislabelling in fishery statistics highlight the need for a huge reassessment of population for the different Dipturus species in European waters. Without revision and recognition of its distinct status the world’s largest skate, D. intermedia, could soon be rendered extinct.’

Similarly, genetic analysis of ragged-tooth sharks (Carcharias taurus) has found that the critically endangered population of Australia, although still the same species, may in fact be divided between eastern and western populations, essentially requiring that they are now managed as two separate populations: one does not have the ability to replenish the other.

Genetic tools can prove incredibly powerful, providing insights that direct observations and fisheries records can easily miss. Be sure to read more on how the SOSF shark DNA forensics project aims to characterise the global population structure of shark species and implement techniques to identify featureless fins from their ‘DNA barcode’, thereby aiding enforcement efforts to prevent trade in protected species.

Another concern is illegal fishing: despite the previous existence of a larger quota, some countries have simply exceeded them, whilst illegal and unreported catches are believed to add an additional 30% to reported harvests. It is feared that the reduced quota will simply further encourage under-reporting of catches and illegal fishing, promoting ongoing decline with a decreased ability to monitor the fisheries.

As such the move by ICCAT may prove ineffectual, with much of the remaining hope for the sustainable management of Atlantic bluefin tuna lying with the proposal to list them under CITES Appendix 1, which will be tabled at the CITES meeting next march.

As such it seems promising that the EU members will vote to protect bluefin tuna under CITES Appendix 1, and if approved by a majority of 175 nations internationally this would effect a ban of all international trade in bluefin. Hopefully this move will pave the way for a much needed reprieve in bluefin fishing pressure, helping populations recover and their future exploitation sustainable. But of course this will be dependent on agreement between member states, and of course enforcement of any legislation restricting the trade of bluefin products.

Along the coast of Alaska there has also been a stark reminder of the wide spread influence of climate change. Thousands of walruses have been taking up residence there as their usual haunts only ledges of Arctic ice melt away. Not only is there concern that the large influx of these predators will disrupt the coastal ecology through their predation pressure, but also aggregating in such large numbers, whilst usually dispersed across the ice, there have been stampedes that have resulted in the trampling of many individuals, particularly juveniles.

On a more positive note, Florida continues to highly regulate shark fishing in the state’s waters with new regulations to be imposed that will prohibit entirely the harvesting of sandbar, Caribbean sharpnose and, of particular personal interest, silky sharks. Silky sharks have been one of the most heavily exploited species for the fin trade, experiencing population declines in excess of 90% in some regions, so the news of a moratorium on their exploitation in Florida’s waters is very welcome news indeed, and hopefully other states and nations will begin to follow their lead. Additional planned legislation to be implemented includes restricting catches of other species to those in excess of a minimum size and only allowing hook-and-line gear to be used for shark fishing.

I shall sign off for now, it’s great to be reporting some genuine progress in marine conservation, albeit on the gloomy backdrop of climate change.