This week the USA and Canada are seeking a ban on two fishing devices in the Pacific known as wire leaders and shark lines. This gear has had devastating impacts on sharks populations and is imperiling oceanic whitetip sharks. Tuna longline vessels deploy lines with wire leaders that increases the likelihood a shark will be caught and maintained on the line, even if the boat is not fishing for sharks. Shark lines, with baited hooks set shallow where sharks are more likely to feed, increases the odds of killing sharks, as well as other animals such as seabirds and sea turtles.

Currently, rules established by agreement under the Western and Central Pacific Regional Fisheries Commission (WCPRMC) allows boats to use type of gear one or the other, but not both at the same time. However, this loophole allows fishing boats to have both aboard, and in proven cases, use them with impunity.

Also needed is a Fisheries Management Plan for sharks, a requirement urgently needed in the Pacific, and included in this year's proposal for the Pacific. This year’s proposal would also require sharks to be freed with as little trailing gear as possible, which research shows will improve survivability of the sharks once release.

The fins from oceanic sharks are particularly coveted for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Oceanic whitetips in particular have suffered from bycatch on longlines and directed catch targeting their fins. In 2011 WCPRMC declared a ban on intentionally catching oceanic whitetip sharks, or if accidentally caught, keeping possession of this species, yet oceanic whitetip shark populations are still in decline.

Banning wire leaders and shark lines would reduce fishing mortality of oceanic whitetips by 40.5%, and that of silky sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), another threatened species, by 30.8%, according to research cited in the WPFMRC proposal.

The Annual meeting of the WCPFRC is currently taking place on Da Nang Vietnam, and we are urging member states in attendance to fight for sharks and rays that are harvested in the Pacific.

Follow this petition, meeting results and learn more at sharkstewards.org