Saturday, Aug 15, 2009
Dubai: Picking the right fish to eat may help save some of the ocean's most endangered species, according to experts.
Hammour, or grouper, a staple of the Gulf diet, is one of the most overfished species globally along with tuna and swordfish.
Earlier this year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) warned that a third of all sharks globally face extinction because they are overfished or being killed accidentally by trawlers fishing for swordfish and tuna.
Recently, a two-year study led by a Canadian marine biologist showed that endangered species of fish can be saved from extinction. The study focused mainly on Europe, North America and New Zealand, and was reported in the journal Science.
Lead author Boris Worm from Canada's Dalhousie University said that measures introduced to halt overfishing in five of the 10 large marine ecosystems examined are showing signs of success.
The signs of recovery globally - mainly achieved through 'catch' quotas, no-take zones, and selective fishing gear - should not be misconstrued for completely improved fish stocks, he warned. The majority of fish species are still in trouble, and fishing is not being managed or regulated properly.
A lot still needs to be done to halt the damage caused by overfishing.
The situation in the Arabian Gulf is somewhat similar, with the Emirates Wildlife Society-WWF calling for an updated and proper assessment of sharks landing in the UAE.
This includes systematic compilation and collection of data on sex, age and date of captured sharks and sting rays, as well as an update on shark fins imported into the country to clarify the UAE's position on the worldwide trade in shark fins.
Sharks in the Arabian Gulf are mostly caught in shallow waters with gargoor (traps). Christophe Tourenq, science and research manager at EWS-WWF, told Gulf News: "Unfortunately these are small sharks, some of them being juvenile black-tips or hammerheads. The species found in the Gulf of Oman and Arabian Sea that land up off the Dibba or Fujairah coast are caught with gargoors, but mostly with lines and hooks in deeper seas. These can be pelagic (spinner, tiger, hammerheads) or larger demersal (skates, guitarfish)."
According to the IUCN. which produces the world's Red List of endangered species, sharks continue to be caught 'without limits' and remain virtually unprotected in the high seas.
EWS-WWF has urgently recommended the ecological study of local sharks and rays, including collecting information on migration and movement, life history and other ecological requirements.
Awareness on the importance of sharks needs to be increased as well.
The IUCN states that the great and scalloped hammerhead sharks and the giant devil ray are globally endangered.
The basking and oceanic whitetip sharks, two Mako species and three Thrashers join the iconic Great White shark as globally vulnerable to extinction.
"The banning of trawl-net practices in UAE and Oman territorial waters may reduce the risk for these species locally.
"Between 1985 and 2000, Food and Agricultural Organisation data showed that shark landings in UAE were relatively stable. Nevertheless, this data needs to be updated. Most of the shark parts are suitable for consumption. In the past, sharks were locally consumed during the summer period when fish catches were low, but the carcass is nowadays often discarded," Tourenq said.
To eat or not to eat
Picking the consciously 'right' seafood from the menu can have a much bigger impact on what goes on below the waves than you might think. As fish stocks deplete around the world, picking fish according to region, season or preferably farmed, will distinguish you from fellow diners. For more information on fish selections visit the Environmental Defence Fund at www.edf.org where you can print out mini guides on all fish and sushi.
Have your say
By Emmanuelle Landais, Staff Reporter
Gulf News 2009. All rights reserved.
