Word: sharked
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...Sharks have long been regarded as terrors of the deep. The mere sight of that telltale dorsal fin cleaving the water's surface instantly sends swimmers racing for the shore (with strains of the ominous two-tone theme from Jaws pounding in their heads). But in recent years these perilous predators have become a popular American entree. Commercial shark fishing has begun to threaten several species, including the thresher, mako and hammerhead. "At this point, we're talking about a marked decline," says Charles Manire, a shark researcher at the University of Miami. "But if it doesn't stop...
...With shark populations in danger off the coasts of the U.S., Japan, South Africa and Australia, marine biologists are rushing to the fishes' defense. This week hundreds of experts are meeting in Sydney for the first international conference on shark conservation. Their goal: to combat the animals' long-standing image problem and advocate protective measures...
...National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) is already completing a plan that would set federal fishing quotas for 39 shark species. It would also ban live finning -- the cruel practice of catching sharks, slicing off their fins and tossing the maimed creatures back into the ocean to die. Dried fins, which fetch up to $117 per kg ($53 per lb.) in Asian markets, are used to make shark-fin soup, a gelatinous delicacy that sells for as much as $50 a bowl in a fine Hong Kong restaurant...
Ironically, the U.S. government intentionally encouraged commercial shark fishing about 10 years ago, in part to prevent overfishing of swordfish and other species. Supermarkets and restaurants were initially so hesitant to feature the fearsome fish that they marketed it under such pseudonyms as "flake" and "steakfish." But shark has since become downright trendy. To keep pace with demand, commercial shark catches in the U.S. jumped from less than 500 tons in 1980 to 7,144 tons in 1989. Last year, however, the catch was down an estimated 20%, reflecting diminished populations...
...will manage the properties while Dow Jones will have editorial control, which should lead to improvements in both areas. The Discovery Channel, another cable-TV venture, agreed to buy FNN Inc.'s interest in the Learning Channel for $12.75 million. FNN also plans to sell its 49% interest in Shark Information Services. Trouble is, that's all the assets. Acknowledging that it is still deeply in the hole, the company said it will soon file for bankruptcy protection...