Marine Biologist is Trying to Keep Sharks from Becoming Extinct

Diego Cardeñosa, a marine biologist from Colombia, has been fascinated by sharks since childhood. His love for these creatures led him to a career focused on their conservation, especially as sharks face a growing extinction threat. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature reports that 35% of all shark species are now endangered, a sharp increase over the past decade primarily driven by overfishing for shark meat and fins.

Shark finning, the practice of removing fins and discarding the shark back into the ocean, leaves sharks unable to swim and leads to their suffocation. Species like hammerheads have suffered immensely, with populations plummeting by 80% in three decades due to high demand for their fins.

Cardeñosa is tackling this crisis as a Distinguished Postdoctoral Scholar at Florida International University. He and fellow professor Demian Chapman have developed a portable DNA kit that can quickly identify shark species and their origins, helping authorities enforce regulations. This innovation has significantly increased the seizure of illegal shark fins in major ports worldwide, from Hong Kong to Brazil.

Their efforts have expanded the number of shark species protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), requiring permits for shark product shipments to ensure legality and sustainability. Cardeñosa also collaborates with South American fishermen, promoting sustainable fishing practices and protecting endangered species.

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Related Content:

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• This Brilliant Organization is Fighting the Cruel Practice of Shark Finning in Costa Rica
• Victory! Cruel Practice of Shark Finning Banned in New Zealand
• European Parliament Votes for Stronger Shark Finning Ban

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