TOMSK, Sep 18 - RIA Tomsk. Ichthyologists from eight countries of the world, including a scientist of the Biological Institute of Tomsk State University (TSU), identified about 30 species of sharks and stingrays, which due to increase in commercial fishery should be included in the specialized international Red Book, the press service of the university reported on Wednesday.
It was reported that a workshop to identify fish species that were particularly vulnerable or on the verge of extinction was initiated by a commission of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources and Nagasaki University. The expert group included experts from eight countries with access to the Pacific Ocean. During the week, scientists analyzed various data for each country.
“237 cartilaginous fish were revised, of which 136 species of sharks and 101 species of stingrays common in the northwestern Pacific Ocean. Their range and fishing status were clarified, new cases of capture were recorded in areas previously unmarked. <...> By the results of the seminar it was decided to change the "Red Book" status of about 30 species", - the scientist of the Department of Ichthyology and Hydrobiology of TSU Yury Dyldin who was among the experts of the workshop is quoted.
To assess the status of populations, scientists also relied on the data of the first taxonomic audit of cartilaginous fish of the Russian Federation, which Dyldin did in 2015, notes the press service. According to the results of the commission’s work, the status of “endangered” will be received by the Erythemic and Kujian rays. Also, several species of sharks will also be included in the list of “Red Book”. In particular, the Japanese sea angel and the Japanese bull shark."The commission’s decision is now at the approval stage. It will soon be posted on the website of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN). Recommendations by experts on conservation of species have been submitted to the UN and will be taken into account by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora threatened with extinction", - the release notes.