Shark Trade Vs Overfishing

Though shark species have existed for nearly 5 million years, statistics estimate a rapid decline in the respective population. The reason, of course, is due to illegal overfishing. Asian markets that specialize in the fish industry excessively pursue the species to obtain the primary ingredient in a shark-fin soup, considered a delicatessen in the Far East. Considerably speaking, though the concern initially remained incoherent to American regulations, recent studies have proven otherwise. Apparently, scientists have recently discovered that DNA from the associated shark-fins derived in American waters.

Obviously, government seeks to regulate the trade to prevent extinction of a prehistoric species. Unfortunately, though overfishing has become a national concern, details required to enforce such regulation remain unknown. By obtaining the DNA from associated shark-fins, scientists can supposedly determine its exclusive territory, as forensics detail. The ever popular hammerhead, known to add a flavor-like texture to the luxurious dish, is the primary target demographic for fishermen seeking the trade. In the estimated 73 million sharks captured annually, 3 million consist of the hammerhead shark. Samples were collected from the largest distributor of shark-fins in the eastern marketplace in Hong Kong, and tested to determine a primary location in which the species may have recently habited. Apparently, studies depict waters in American territory, encompassing the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific oceans. Out of 62 samples collected and tested from the Hong Kong market, 57 proved to have derived in the aforementioned oceans. This acknowledgement has proven that overfishing remains questionable and respective governments may now have the ability to restrict and enforce trade.

As the populations in these waters are considered endangered, and the species is constantly declining, other repercussions may affect beachgoer's and other marine life. With the top predator involved in the food chain diminishing, other prey species such as stingrays may flock to the beaches. To conclude, though I have lived in Japan and Korea for years, I have yet to contribute to the demand for shark-fin soup. In fact, if the fins provide for such luxurious meals, and each selling for roughly $120, why not simply construct a farming aquarium. Of course, that would involve additional funding and financials not necessary in simply fishing them out of the ocean.

National Geographic Explorer (2009). Shark fins traced to home waters using DNA - A first. Retrieved Dec 08, 2009 from http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2009/12/091203-sharks-fins-soup-dna.html