Call For Sharks To Be Protected

February 9, 2006

Release from: Abu Solomon Tarawallie
The Independent (South Africa)

A one-day national workshop has been held in which resolutions have been made for the protection of marine resources especially sharks.

The Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources in collaboration with the Food and Agricultural Organisation organized the workshop. It was observed that irresponsible fishing and pollutions had caused the extinction of many marine species and endangers more including sharks, which may lead to their extinction.

At the opening of the workshop the FAO Country representative Mohamed B. Farrah said the International Plan of Action (IPAO) was formed so that nations could take positive action to ensure conservation and management of sharks. He emphasized that the action Plan provided an opportunity for the government, stakeholders and people of Sierra Leone to take positive action to protect marine resources.

The chairman of the occasion and deputy director of fisheries Mr. Mohamed Fouad Sheriff emphasized the need for West African nations to support policy and to also carry out research and monitoring at regional levels.

The permanent secretary Alhaji Alharazin highlighted the devastating spill over effect and impact of the extinction of sharks on the aquatic environment.

"The application of protective measures to conserve and protect sharks will sustain them and allow posterity to come and get a share of the benefits nature provides for all and sundry", Mr. Alharazzin said.

The representative of the Institute of Marine Biology and Oceanography Mr. Kamara said in the plans to conserve sharks cognizance should be taken of their low birth rate, slow growth, long life and late sexual maturity.

The head of Research of the Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources Mr. Mohamed Sesay said income accrued from the sales of sharks in Sierra Leone increased from 19 to 30,000 dollars between 2002 and 2004.