MedSharks

MedSharks focus its research, conservation and educational activities on sharks in the Mediterranean sea

Mediterranean: the most dangerous place on Earth for sharks and rays
42% of sharks and rays species in the mediterranean are threatened with extinction, accordin to a new report form the World Conservation Union (IUCN)

The first complete IUCN Red List assessment of the status of Med Sharks and rays has revealed that the region has the highest percentage of threatened sharks and rays in the world. Overfishing and by-catch are the main cause of decline, according to research.

Over 20.000 signatures were delivered by MedSharks and Shark Alliance in Bruxelles to ask European institutions to face the shark emergency. Thank you all!

Media and web coverage of the signature collecting campaing:
Geo&Geo (see the interview which lead to an incredible surge of signatures!), Ansa, La Stampa and many more!

The problem:
- 42% of Mediterranean species of sharks and rays are facing extintion
- species in danger of exctintion are regularly sold in supermarkets
- because of the little laws existing at the moment, many populations of sharks have been decimated
- some of the largest fishing fleet in the world are European, so it is vital that Europe has sound rules to stop the decline of these animals.

MEDITERRANEAN SANDBAR SHARK	MEDITERRANEAN BASKING SHARK	MEDITERRANEAN SIXGILL

Since 2001 the MedSharks team is conducting a long-term study of sandbar sharks in a Turkish bay, where sharks congregate every year. - project - depliant (in italian) - video	In 2006 MedSharks tagged the first Mediterranean basking shark off Sardinia within Operazione Squalo Elefante, which also includes a basking shark photo-ID database. - project - depliant - video	The abyssal sixgill shark usually lives at 500-1000 metres. In just a few places in the world this large shark rises up to diveable depths, where MedSharks has started studying it in 2007. See the TV interview (in Italian)

MedSharks' scientific research is endorsed by the University of Bologna and the IUCN Shark Specialist Group. MedSharks is also a member of the Shark Alliance, a coalition of NGOs for the conservation of sharks. MMedSharks activities are financed exclusively through sponsorships and donations. You can help! Find out how

Contacts: info @ medsharks. org -please take away spaces in the email address