PLAYA DEL CARMEN – The killing of sharks and dolphins continues to be a concern for environmentalists who say the kills risk extinction of the species.
Many people remain disturbed at the frequent sight of local fishermen arriving to shore with dead dolphins and sharks. Some locals say the sight taints the region as a tourist destination while others say the kills risk extinction of the species.
Óscar Carranza Uribe of Blueprint Conservation says they are determined to have such shark fishing permits revoked for Puerto Morelos fishermen.
A meeting was set for Thursday Aug. 25 when the Chamber of Deputies and other on-hand federal agencies will be formally requested to withdraw the permission given to fishermen that allows them to hunt sharks.
Uribe said they have a legal strategy in place but require funds to pay for the lawyers. Last year, environmental group Saving Our Sharks raised legal fee money selling bracelets in select dive shops. Blueprint Conservation is following their example, selling bracelets in select dive shops to help raise money for the necessary legal fees.
(PHOTO: riviera-maya-news.com)
According to National Geographic, more than 100 million sharks are killed globally each year. The report shows between 6.4 percent and 7.9 percent of all shark species are killed annually.
Lead statistical researcher, biologist Boris Worm says, “There’s a staggering number of sharks being caught every year and the number is way too high considering the biology of species.” The 100 million sharks was actually a conservative estimate. Worm’s team found the number could be as high as 273 million sharks killed each year.
In January of 2014, Mexico announced a permanent fishing ban on great white sharks.
Source: riviera-maya-news.com
