The National Marine Fisheries Service, responding to a court order regarding a petition from WildEarth Guardians’, is compiling information about the porebeagle shark which may become listed as endangered.
The sharks which look like a cross between a Great White and mako are sought after for their meat and fins are found in the Mediterranean, North Atlantic Ocean and the Southern Hemisphere.
The information gathered will be independently peer reviewed with a decision expected in December as to whether the shark will be listed as threatened or Endangered under the Endangered Species Act.
Taylor Jones, Endangered species advocate for WildEarth Guardians said “It is long past time that we recognize the severe threats to our oceans and employ the Endangered Species Act to protect our most imperiled marine wildlife. Porbeagle sharks deserve protections; too many top carnivores are under threat and we’ll keep fighting for them until they get the protections they need.”
Above video description and direct link : A porbeagle shark at 60 meters (190ft)water depth in the UK part of the North Sea
According to The International Shark Attack file there have only been two unprovoked non fatal bites/attacks by porbeagle sharks from 1580-2014.
In May of 2014 a 450lbs porbeagle was landed in British waters with another one caught the following month weighing in at 300lbs in Welch waters.
