Global News - July 2007
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Sharks 'face extinction in a generation'
Tue 24 July 2007 12:30 UK — Asia
One of the oldest species still living on Earth could face extinction in a generation because of man's actions, a new report has warned.
Sharks are thought be around 450 million years old, meaning that they existed before any plant or animal got out of the water and lived on land.
However, a report from WildAid has suggested that the Chinese demand for shark-fin soup means that the creatures could be extinct in a generation.
"These animals have been here for 400 million years and they may disappear in one generation, not to provide people with basic food, but for a solely luxury item," warned the group at a press conference.
"Hammerhead, great white and basking sharks were some of the species at risk. Shark fin is becoming cheaper and eaten by a growing number of people in China - perhaps by around 100 million people a year."
To improve the situation, charities called on the Chinese government to act to protect sharks from fishing.
Recently, a number of Brazilian fishermen were filmed killing dolphins to use the animals as bait in shark fishing.
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