Hundreds of researchers and conservationists met in Colombo from May 4-8 for Sharks International, held once every four years.Major topics at the conference included the trade in shark and ray meat, reducing shark bycatch, and the use of new technologies in conservation.Participants also highlighted innovative programs that encourage community-based conservation, and grappled with the contentious topic of closing fisheries to aid recovery of threatened species.
COLOMBO — More than 800 researchers and conservationists gathered in Colombo, Sri Lanka’s capital, from May 4-8 for Sharks International, the world’s largest shark conference.
Presenters shared research and insights on the global trade in sharks, the plight of rays, and a range of conservation measures, including rewilding initiatives, improving marine protected area effectiveness, and the bolstering of monitoring and enforcement systems to protect threatened species.
Overfishing has halved shark and ray populations since 1970. Today, more than a third of species are threatened with extinction.
Meat trade comes into focus
