Who Helps Protect Sharks? - Government

Sharks. Who cares about sharks? Actually, quite a few people do, including me. Governments across the globe have been starting to take action in saving the sharks. Although governments are doing something, that something may not be enough to save the population of sharks.

To begin, the United States has 12 out of 50 states and an additional three U.S. territories that have a law(s) controlling shark finning (Animal Welfare Institute). This is a start, but will it be enough to save the sharks? In 2010, the Shark Conservation Act, which improved the previous shark finning law, was put into place in the United States. “The Shark Conservation Act also allows the U.S. to take action against countries whose shark finning restrictions are not as strenuous.” (Smithsonian). Following this act, the European Union, or EU, approved one of their own laws, similar to the Shark Conservation Act. Several other countries are taking action too. “Since 1994, 22 countries have placed domestic regulations on shark finning.” (Smithsonian). In addition, areas such as Raja Ampat, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, the Bahamas, and Palau have been declared as shark sanctuaries (Wild Aid). Sadly, there are still places that provide zero protection, like Hong Kong for example. Another law that somewhat protects the sharks against finning “requires the fins to be attached to the bodies of the shark or vessels’ landings must meet a certain ratio of fin weight to body weight that depends on the species and whether or not the carcass has been ‘dressed’.” (Wild Aid). This at least protects them from being thrown back into the ocean to drown.

In conclusion, the laws that are currently attempting to protect the sharks are a good start. Is it really enough is the question we need to be asking. These laws need to be taken even further because this is obviously not the result that we need.