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So a recent study came out and the results are fairly controversial: it suggests that Australia is the leading source of #shark fins to major markets in HK and the US 1/n https://www.smh.com.au/national/study-names-australia-as-a-major-source-for-shark-fin-trade-20201027-p5692n.html
The study makes a good case for suggesting the exclusive economic zones (EEZ) are the area where most shark fins are collected, rather than open seas as previously believed. This means we can protect a lot of #shark species, which is good! 2/n
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0609
https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rsbl.2020.0609
However, the study highlights that Australia is likely the main source of #shark fin in those major markets, and that just doesn't align with what we know about fisheries in Australia or globally. 3/n
For example, blue shark account for ~35% of shark fin in these markets. They're caught in Australia as bycatch by long-liners, and at most~1000 tonnes per year, which sounds like a lot, HOWEVER: compare that to 40,000 tonnes per year in the Atlantic 4/n
It also ignores that Australia's largest #shark fisheries, which are tiny compared to global standards, are often (not always!) some of the world's most sustainable examples of shark fishing, and this paper could be damaging to commercial fishers doing the right thing 5/n
So does Australia contribute to #shark fin trade? Absolutely, but to suggest Australia is the worst egg ignores the scale of where shark fisheries actually occur. I have more specific misgivings about the approach and conclusions, but I'm sure others will cover those
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