OCEANA Europe is not pleased with European Commission's proposals for 2008 shark quotas for Total Allowable Catches (TACs). Two of the species included in the proposal are both considered Critically Endangered in the North East Atlantic by the IUCN and thus Zero TAC's are needed. For the spurdog (Squalus acanthias) the EC recommends a 25% decrease from last year but the 2,752 ton catch limit is still far above the scientific recommendations for these species. Much of the problem centers on deep-sea sharks which are particularly susceptible to overfishing due to their late maturity, slow growth, and long lifespans. Unfortunately the 2008 limits for deep-sea sharks were set 2 years ago despite urging by Oceana for zero TAC for some species over there entire range of the stocks, such as the Portuguese dogfish and leafscale gulper shark.
Cuts In 2008 Shark Take Quotas Not Enough
Before I say this, let me preface my remarks with the statement that I understand the reasoning of the Time Allocation Committtee (TAC), and it's not an insane decision. It's as I predicted; they're worried that the observations are too hard because the targets are faint.
Freezin' Friday, and we ask, most humbly, knowing that the answer is subject to the all too human vagaries of the Dreaded TAC: oh, Mighty iPod, what will the outcome of Cycle 16 HST call for proposals be?
Whoosh goes the randomizer.
Whoosh.
a question in one of the comments to the "Extreme Solar System" threads, was to the effect of - "when will the embargoed/unpublished stuff come out and the rest of us know"?
well, depends...
Here's some cool shark photos
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/main.jhtml;jsessionid=5HBZ54GRXJJJ1QFI…