As demand for some Shark species and Shark products such as fins have increased, concern has steadily grown regarding the status of many Sharks. Compared to other marine fish, Sharks are described by relatively slow growth, late sexual maturity, and a small number of young per brood. These biological factors leave many species of Sharks vulnerable to overfishing. ("A Closer Look at Shark Conservation") A major part of population decline is commercial Shark finning. Shark finning is a process of removing the fins from a live Shark and casting the animal back into the ocean, leaving them to die several days later (Fairclough, Caty. "Shark Finning: Sharks Turned Prey"). The rest of the Shark is then left because Shark meat is of low economic value and takes up too much space for the fisher to take them back. In addition, Shark meat also contains urea, which turns to ammonia once the Shark has died and contaminates other fish. This is done so the fins can be sold on the black market, fins are sold for about $650 per kilogram (about 2.2 lbs) so they are in high demand ("Shark Truth." Shark Fin Trade –.). The number of Shark fisheries has exploded, and there are signs that some Shark populations have declined dramatically. According to one estimate, by researchers at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, 100 million Sharks are now killed annually, on average, (Baum, Julia K., Ransom A. Myers, Daniel G. Kehler, Boris Worm, Shelton J. Harley, and Penny A. Doherty. Collapse and Conservation of Shark Populations in the Northwest Atlantic. ) Many Shark species have been over-exploited because their fins are highly valued for Shark fin soup. Shark fin soup is a delicacy in china that was served to the emperor and his guest to promote good health(Tennesen, Michael. "Predators Will Scrabble." The next Species: The Future of Evolution in the Aftermath of Man.). As a
As demand for some Shark species and Shark products such as fins have increased, concern has steadily grown regarding the status of many Sharks. Compared to other marine fish, Sharks are described by relatively slow growth, late sexual maturity, and a small number of young per brood. These biological factors leave many species of Sharks vulnerable to overfishing. ("A Closer Look at Shark Conservation") A major part of population decline is commercial Shark finning. Shark finning is a process of removing the fins from a live Shark and casting the animal back into the ocean, leaving them to die several days later (Fairclough, Caty. "Shark Finning: Sharks Turned Prey"). The rest of the Shark is then left because Shark meat is of low economic value and takes up too much space for the fisher to take them back. In addition, Shark meat also contains urea, which turns to ammonia once the Shark has died and contaminates other fish. This is done so the fins can be sold on the black market, fins are sold for about $650 per kilogram (about 2.2 lbs) so they are in high demand ("Shark Truth." Shark Fin Trade –.). The number of Shark fisheries has exploded, and there are signs that some Shark populations have declined dramatically. According to one estimate, by researchers at Dalhousie University in Nova Scotia, 100 million Sharks are now killed annually, on average, (Baum, Julia K., Ransom A. Myers, Daniel G. Kehler, Boris Worm, Shelton J. Harley, and Penny A. Doherty. Collapse and Conservation of Shark Populations in the Northwest Atlantic. ) Many Shark species have been over-exploited because their fins are highly valued for Shark fin soup. Shark fin soup is a delicacy in china that was served to the emperor and his guest to promote good health(Tennesen, Michael. "Predators Will Scrabble." The next Species: The Future of Evolution in the Aftermath of Man.). As a