Bahamas Bans Shark Fishing

The Bahamas Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources has reportedly
announced its decision to prohibit all commercial shark fishing in its waters,
citing a shark tourism industry that generates $80 million in revenue each
year. According to media reports, the ban would encompass 240,000 square
miles and protect approximately 40 shark species present in the area. The new
protections were purportedly needed after a seafood export firm last year
proposed fishing the Bahamas for shark fins, a plan that quickly met resistance
from the Bahamas National Trust and the Pew Environment Group.

“The Bahamas government is determined to enhance the protection
extended to sharks,” stated Agriculture and Marine Resources Minister
Lawrence Cartwright. “As we are all aware, sharks are heavily fished in many
corners of the world’s oceans.” See The Washington Post, July 5, 2011.