(Though how long it will remain the largest at the rate of change in attitudes towards sharks and shark finning remains to be seen!)
The Marshall Islands have knocked Palau into the second largest shark sanctuary in the world after declaring it's waters a safe zone for shark - shark fishing is banned as is some equipment, and any sharks accidentally caught are to be released alive with fines of up to £200,000 for those caught violating the law. The sanctuary is about EIGHT TIMES bigger than the UK! Puts our "Marine Bill" in the pale doesn't it?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-15142472
Millie & Fly the Border Collies
Great news, lets hope it is enforced correctly and provides a shining example to other nations about how to protect the marine environment and the creatures that live there!
Check out our latest marine campaign here and some shark related info' here
Warden Intern at Otmoor.
I hope so, but for many of these countries enforcement is difficult because of the area and a lack of resources, whereas the countries that do have the resources and ability are doing little or nothing. The advantage is though that by banning the shark trade they make themselves a lot more appealing to shark tourism and more people on the water = more eyes looking out for troublemakers, which unfortunately is probably far more likely to come from other countries raiding their waters and stealing their sharks to make soup.