Ocean News

Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project

21st August 2009

This is the official poster of the Fiji Shark Conservation and Awareness Project, Fiji’s very own contribution to the International Year of the Shark.

The International Year of the Shark was inspired by the finding that at the current rate, common shark species will be extinct in 10 to 15 years. In large regions, species that were once numerous have fallen to 1% of their original numbers. Studies of open ocean sharks estimate 80 to 90% of heavily fished species are gone. Yet these intelligent animals, also called the “Wolves of the Sea” are still fished intensively, and finned for “shark fin soup.” The oceans have evolved over hundreds of millions of years with sharks as apex predators, so their loss will destroy oceanic health.