The Members of WAPFSA, who signed the aforementioned submission to the Deputy Director -General Ms Zintle Langa of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment , belong to a community of diverse South African based organisations who share certain values, knowledge and objectives. WAPFSA members comprise of a body of expertise from different sectors including but not limited to scientific, environmental, legal, welfare, rights, social justice, indigenous and public advocacy backgrounds.
We are hopeful that the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment find this submission helpful because according the the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 37.5 % of the 1200 species of sharks are currently threatened with extinction.
We are concerned that the Draft Shark Biodiversity Management Plan does not sufficiently and effectively address the reduction or the phasing out of the activities identified as major threats to the survival of shark species.
Image Credit: Jean Tresfon
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