Ecobreves – CHILE: Incidental Capture of Sharks Denounced

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

SANTIAGO, Sep 3 2012 (IPS) - A new scientific study reveals high rates of incidental capture of sharks along the coasts of Chile, as a result of swordfish fishing. According to the report, published by the international marine conservation organization Oceana, the problem results from the type of lines used to catch swordfish.

Because the lines are made from steel wire, sharks that bite the baited hooks are unable to cut the wire and escape, explains the research study, released in August.

Oceana has called on the government to adopt measures to prevent this unintended capture.

“The Chilean government has promoted a series of measures aimed at fostering responsible and sustainable fishing,” Oceana director Alex Muñoz told Tierramérica. It now needs to adopt others to protect certain, more vulnerable species such as sharks, he added.