The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 14: March 2002
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Editorial
As we go to press, the future of shark populations in the Galapagos
Islands seems once again to be on a knife-edge . A meeting is to be held
in Ecuador in April to discuss authorising commercial fishing for tunas
and other pelagics in the Galapagos Marine Resources Reserve. The
SSG have written a statement to be distributed at this meeting (see
p.19). While the SSG recognizes the value of marine fisheries to the
economy of the region, the unique status of the Galapagos Islands, a
World Heritage Site, requires that management be undertaken in a
manner more precautionary than that employed in other areas. Ensuring
the survival of this precious natural ecosystem is more than a
philosophical exercise; from a practical standpoint, an undisturbed
natural system offers very real economic value through ecotourism.
Alteration of even a segment of the ecosystem can initiate deleterious
changes throughout that will adversely affect Ecuador's ability to
attract ecotourists to the region.
On a business note, I would like to draw your attention to the box
on p.19 regarding donations to help fund future issues of Shark News.
With our fulltime Programme Officer now employed we are publishing
at least two issues every year, and this is very expensive to the SSG in
terms of printing and postage. Over 900 individuals and organisations
all over the world, ranging from SSG scientists and government
agencies to interested members of the general public, receive Shark
News for free. We do not have the resources to administer a subscription
system, instead we rely on voluntary financial contributions from our
readers. Each issue costs us approximately US$3,500 for printing,
distribution and editing, and aside from our major sponsors (such as
National Audubon, this issue), we receive less than US$100 per year
from our readers. This is a request to try and increase the donations
made. Any amount, however much you can afford, is greatly
appreciated. We can't do it without you.
Merry Camhi, SSG Deputy Chair.
Email: mcamhi@audubon.org
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