World's Largest Manta Ray Sanctuary

Credit: National Geographic

Indonesia has some of the largest manta ray fisheries in the world which support the traditional medicine trade. To help curb recent declines in manta ray populations the Indonesian government is banning the fishing of manta rays within the country's exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

China's Illegal Shark Industry to be Exposed in New Film

WildLifeRisk recently released the results of an investigation on the slaughter of endangered sharks, particularly of whale sharks, by and industrial plant in China's PuQi township. Throughout their investigation the NGO activists teamed up with director Louie Psihoyos (director of "The Cove") to film their meeting with the slaughterhouse owner, Li Guang.

Shark Trust Promoting Fishermen Education

A new project, to promote sustainable shark fisheries, has begun off the coasts of Cumbria and Lancanshire England.

Earliest Known Shark Nursery

The Bandringa shark, is likely on of the earliest close relatives of modern sharks. Bandringa sharks were a bottom-feeding predator that inhabited a river delta system in what is now the Upper Midwest. Juveniles were only 4-6 inches long with adults reaching 10 ft, with an elongated snout up to half their body length.

Mexico: Permanent Ban On White Shark Fishing

The Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) has set up a permanent ban on white shark fishing in national waters under federal jurisdiction, which will take affect January 28, 2014. In addition, any sharks that are caught incidentally, whether recreationally or commercially, shall be released back into the ocean. Enforcement of this new policy will be carried out by the Navy and SAGARPA through the National Commission of Aquaculture and Fisheries (CONAPESCA).

SAGARPA's Press Release

"New Species" of eagle ray described

Recent taxonomic and molecular work on the eagle ray family has described a new species Aetobatus narutobiei, which was previously thought to be a conspecific of Aetobatus flagellum.

Largest Industrial Slaughter of Whale Sharks Exposed

WildLifeRisk, a NGO based in Hong Kong, has found a factory in PuQi, Zhejiang Province, China that is killing at least 600 sharks each year. It is believed that this is the world's largest slaughterhouse of whale sharks, an internationally protected endangered species.

Shark Culling In Australia

Image Source: Times Live

Following an increase in shark attacks at popular beaches along the Western Australia coast, the government has implemented a "shark management" strategy. They have called for commercial fishing organizations to set up and maintain long lines off the beaches. Any shark larger than three meters will then be  shot and dumped back into the water.  This strategy, is highly controversial and several experts have agreed that it will most likely be ineffective.