Galapagos shark endangered by Ecuadoran decree: group - AFP

Source: Agence France-Presse

Galapagos shark endangered by Ecuadoran decree: group

Mon Jul 23, 6:56 PM ET

QUITO, Ecuador (AFP) - President Rafael Correa's decree
legalizing the sale of shark fins caught by accidental
fishing has put the Galapagos shark in peril of extinction,
environmentalist groups warned Monday in Ecuador.

Prized as an aphrodisiac and gourmet delicacy in Asia,
shark fins had been illegally harvested until Correa's
decree, which he said will directly benefit 200,000
Ecuadoran fishermen and their families.

The presidential decree lifts a ban on the sale and export
of shark fins caught accidentally outside Galapagos
territorial waters. Deliberate fishing for shark fins is still
prohibited.

"In theory, any type of fishing is banned in Galapagos,
but it's difficult to monitor which species are caught and
now, the decree could lead to more illegal fishing in the
area," Ecological Action project coordinator Ricardo
Buitron told AFP.

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Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070723/sc_afp/ecuadorgalapagosanimal_070723225639

Human beings, in the process of totally eradicating themselves due to incredibly informed, but self-imposed ignorance, are taking many species and most of the planet with them as they go. The cockroach population is delighted at the news and looks forward to expansion in the future.

To that, the Dolphins replied by rising up into and leaving Earth while chanting, in Dolphin speak, "So long and thanks for all the fish!"