Scalloped Hammerhead Shark Added to U.S. Endangered Species Act
By Megan Elliott
For the first time in history, a shark species has gained protection by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). In early July, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its decision to protect four of the six distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark under one of the world's most powerful conservation laws.
Unique for the indents on its flat head, the scalloped hammerhead is one of eight species of hammerhead sharks. A victim of both unintentional and commercial fishing, the scalloped hammerhead is valuable in the international shark-fin trade, but sometimes dies as a result of bycatch. In 2007, the scalloped hammerhead was identified as an endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List, but the IUNC’s assessments are not legally binding.
NOAA’s move came as a response to a 2011 petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals to list the scalloped hammerhead as threatened or endangered throughout its entire range, or as an alternative, to delineate the species into five distinc population segments (DPS) and list each of those as threatened or endangered. In examining the species, the NOAA instead identified six DPS's — four of which are now protected by the ESA; The Eastern Atlantic DPS and Eastern Pacific DPS are listed as endangered, while the Indo-West Pacific DPS and Eastern Pacific DPS are listed as threatened.
Because the newly listed populations are found primarily beyond U.S. waters, the law will have little effect on American fisheries, and will not likely lead to recovery efforts in the U.S.
Concerned citizens can promote government action to preserve scalloped hammerhead populations by submitting public comments, or advocate grand-scale shark conservation by supporting international efforts.
Want to get involved in citizen science projects for shark conservation? Go to www.sharksavers.org/sharkscount.
Craving Shark Content? Here's More!
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ShutterstockThe scalloped hammerhead gets its name from the indentions on its flat head that give it a "scalloped" appearance.
For the first time in history, a shark species has gained protection by the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). In early July, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced its decision to protect four of the six distinct population segments of the scalloped hammerhead shark under one of the world's most powerful conservation laws.
ShutterstockThe scalloped hammerhead is one of eight species of hammerhead sharks.
Unique for the indents on its flat head, the scalloped hammerhead is one of eight species of hammerhead sharks. A victim of both unintentional and commercial fishing, the scalloped hammerhead is valuable in the international shark-fin trade, but sometimes dies as a result of bycatch. In 2007, the scalloped hammerhead was identified as an endangered species on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s Red List, but the IUNC’s assessments are not legally binding.
ShutterstockThe scalloped hammerhead is targeted in the international market to make shark-fin soup.
NOAA’s move came as a response to a 2011 petition from WildEarth Guardians and Friends of Animals to list the scalloped hammerhead as threatened or endangered throughout its entire range, or as an alternative, to delineate the species into five distinc population segments (DPS) and list each of those as threatened or endangered. In examining the species, the NOAA instead identified six DPS's — four of which are now protected by the ESA; The Eastern Atlantic DPS and Eastern Pacific DPS are listed as endangered, while the Indo-West Pacific DPS and Eastern Pacific DPS are listed as threatened.
ShutterstockSix distinct population segments of scalloped hammerhead sharks have been identified worldwide.
Because the newly listed populations are found primarily beyond U.S. waters, the law will have little effect on American fisheries, and will not likely lead to recovery efforts in the U.S.
ShutterstockThe scalloped hammerhead is the first shark to be listed on the U.S. Endangered Species Act.
Concerned citizens can promote government action to preserve scalloped hammerhead populations by submitting public comments, or advocate grand-scale shark conservation by supporting international efforts.
ShutterstockCommercial fishing is a threat to scalloped hammerheads, which often fall victim to bycatch.
Want to get involved in citizen science projects for shark conservation? Go to www.sharksavers.org/sharkscount.
Craving Shark Content? Here's More!
Facts on Great Hammerhead Sharks | Amazing Hammerhead Photos | Advanced Adventure: Hammers in Bimini
