2025-05-20T02:39:29Z

Recent analysis has revealed that industrial fishing operations are capturing unprecedented amounts of bycatch, with nearly half a million threatened blue sharks falling victim to these practices in the Western and Central Pacific Ocean alone. This troubling data emerges as the global community is on the verge of finalizing a new ocean treaty aimed at protecting marine biodiversity and reducing the impact of overfishing.

The Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) reported that a staggering 438,500 blue sharks were caught in 2023, marking the latest year for which data is available. To put this number into perspective, if one were to lay the sharks nose to tail in a straight line, they would stretch an astonishing 900 kilometers. This distance is roughly equivalent to the span between Sydney and Melbourne, or more than double the distance of a return trip to the International Space Station.

The total weight of the captured blue sharks reached an alarming 48,200 metric tonnes. This figure is particularly concerning when considering the trends revealed by Greenpeace's analysis of historical data, which stretches back to 1991. Their findings indicate that this year’s bycatch represents the highest number on record, more than double the 23,466 metric tonnes captured in 2015. Such a dramatic increase not only highlights the unsustainable practices currently employed in the fishing industry but also raises urgent questions about the long-term viability of blue shark populations.

The blue shark, recognized scientifically as Prionace glauca, is a species known for its adaptability in a variety of marine environments, but it is currently classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The alarming rates at which these sharks are being caught raise serious concerns among conservationists and marine biologists, who warn about the potential collapse of the species if fishing practices do not change.

As the world stands on the brink of establishing new regulations through the ocean treaty, the stark reality of bycatch is forcing stakeholders to confront the consequences of industrial fishing. Stronger measures to protect endangered species, such as the blue shark, and more sustainable fishing methods are essential to ensure that marine ecosystems remain healthy and balanced.