Sharks get protection in Marshall Islands (England)
The US territory of the Marshall Islands has placed a moratorium on the trade and export of shark fins, a report said Friday, the latest in a trend across the Pacific Ocean.
More than 70 million sharks are killed each year primarily for their fins, which are in high demand for Asian shark fin soup, environmental groups say.
A booming illegal export market prompted Marshall Islands Marine Resources Authority director Glen Joseph to impose the ban, the Marianas Variety reported.
"No one is registered and authorized to fish for sharks, but there are substantive reports that it is happening," Joseph said.
The moratorium will remain until new rules are established to regulate the trade.
The Senate in Guam, another US island territory, voted last week to ban the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins.
Palau, Hawaii, the Northern Mariana Islands, as well as Honduras and the Maldives in the Indian Ocean, have passed similar protections for the endangered predators.
The Pew Environmental Group says it is important that the endangered predators "keep their place as apex predators in the ocean food chain."
Vocab:
ReplyDeleteMoratorium(n)
Stopping an activity by official agreement
E.G. The convention called for a two-year moratorium on commercial whaling.
Trend (n)
General direction in which a situation is changing or developing
E.G. There is a growing trend towards earlier retirement.
Booming(adj)
Being welcomed by others
E.G. The only way to satisfy the booming golf was to build more courses.
prompted(v.)
to make somebody decide to do something; to cause something happen
E.G. The discovery of the bomb prompted an increase in security.
authorized (v.)
to give authority to someone
E.G. I have authorized him to act for me while I am away.
substantive(adj)
dealing with real, important or serious matters
E.G. The report concluded that no substantive changes were necessary.
possession(n)
ownership
E.G. The gang was caught in possession of stolen goods.
predators(n)
animal that kill and eat other animals
E.G. Some animals have no natural predators.
apex(n)
the highest point
E.G. At 37, she'd reached the apex of her career.
Questions:
ReplyDeleteWhy is it important to protect sharks?
How do sharks act in the food chain?
The Senate in Guam have voted for what in last week?
Which places have passed similar protection for the engaged predators?
Summary:
ReplyDeleteThe Marshall Islands has stopped the trade and export of sharks fin.
There are more than 70 millions sharks being killed mainly for their fins each year. They are in a high demand for Asian shark fin soup.
Many countries like Hawaii, Palau have passed the protection for the engaged predator. It is important to keep those predators in the food chain.