Article Summary:

UnderwaterTimes reports that the leaders of eight countries launched an initiative aimed at preventing the extinction of sharks. Under the declaration signed by the Bahamas, Colombia, Honduras, the Maldives, the Marshall Islands, Mexico, Micronesia and Palau, up to 6 million additional square kilometers (2.3 million square miles) could be designated as shark sanctuaries. The pledge commits signatories to: “Maintain or develop shark sanctuaries, work together internationally to ensure healthy shark populations, and advocate for better science-based precautionary protection for sharks in all international fora.”