Pacific reef shark populations plummeting, study says

By Matthew Knight, CNN

Updated 1438 GMT (2238 HKT) April 28, 2012

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A new survey of Pacific reef sharks has shown that numbers are dwindling dramatically in areas near islands with human populations.
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New study tracks Pacific reef shark numbers – A new survey of Pacific reef sharks has shown that numbers are dwindling dramatically in areas near islands with human populations.
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A whitetip reef shark at Palmyra Atoll. Lead author of the study Marc Nadon said: "Reef shark numbers were greatly depressed compared to reefs in the same regions that were simply further away from humans."
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A whitetip reef shark at Palmyra Atoll. Lead author of the study Marc Nadon said: "Reef shark numbers were greatly depressed compared to reefs in the same regions that were simply further away from humans."
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Over 1600 surveys were included in the report and provide the first estimates of reef shark losses in the Pacific. Divers were towed along behind a boat allowing them to track this large and mobile species.
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Over 1600 surveys were included in the report and provide the first estimates of reef shark losses in the Pacific. Divers were towed along behind a boat allowing them to track this large and mobile species.
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