From R. EARLL
I welcome Leigh Dayton’s article on shark conservation (‘Save the sharks’,
15 June), but have to point out at least one error. Peter Gill, a biologist
with Greenpeace, was asked whether any of the world’s conservation organisations
have ever funded a shark campaign. His reply was no. Actually the answer
is yes, for at least one example – the basking shark in UK waters – has
been the subject of a campaign run by the Marine Conservation Society for
the last four years.
At present the joint nature conservancy councils are considering whether
the basking shark should be included on Schedule 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside
Act. The basking shark is in many ways equivalent to the cetaceans already
listed under the Act. With the cetaceans we have taken a precautionary approach
– action in the absence of adequate information, taken before the species
becomes endangered further and which provides a clear signal of concern.
It will be a great pity if future generations are deprived of seeing this
spectacular fish because of our lack of action and foresight.
R. Earll Marine Conservation Society Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire
