Alert to an Extraordinary Week in Shark Conservation

Several shark conservation events in Washington, DC area this week

April 14, 2008

Media Contact: Kelly Ricaurte

Event: Discussion of government plans to strengthen the Atlantic ban on shark finning and dramatically reduce Atlantic shark quotas by the government's expert Advisory Panel
When: Tuesday, April 15, 2008, afternoon session of a three-day Advisory Panel meeting
Where: Silver Spring, Maryland, Hilton Hotel

Event: Congressional hearing on the Shark Conservation Act of 2008, which would strengthen the existing U.S. ban on shark finning by allowing for better enforcement, encourage other countries to adopt shark conservation programs that are comparable to the U.S., and establish a process that would ultimately allow the U.S. to impose sanctions against countries that do not.
When: Wednesday, April 16, 2008, 10:00 a.m.
Where: Capitol Hill, Washington D.C. 1324 Longworth House Office Building

Event: Sherman's Lagoon cartoonist, Jim Toomey, and Ocean Conservancy's Sonja Fordham meet with National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) head, Dr. James Balsiger, to discuss the outpouring of public support for sharks generated by a special Earth Day cartoon.
When: Thursday, April 17, 2008, 2:00 p.m.
Where: National Marine Fisheries Service Headquarters, Silver Spring, Maryland

Background: Finning is the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark's valuable fins and discarding the body at sea. Shark fins, sought for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup, are among the world's most valuable fishery products. Demand for fins is a driving force in shark fisheries, most of which are unsustainable. Many Atlantic shark populations are seriously overfished and need stricter catch limits to recover. Changes in finning bans are needed for better enforcement and species identification.

"Growing public support for shark conservation must be translated into sound policies before it's too late. The Shark Conservation Act of 2008 and upcoming shark fishing cuts in Atlantic shark fishing are solid steps toward ending the waste and depletion of these vulnerable animals,” said Sonja Fordham, Director of Shark Conservation for Ocean Conservancy.

Interview Opportunities: Sonja Fordham and Jim Toomey contact Ocean Conservancy to set up interviews