Good news for sharks!  After years of being killed in unsustainable levels, they’ve finally received international recognition of their threatened numbers and a degree of protection in the form of fishing permits to limit catches (manta rays also received some protection).  While on the surface this is encouraging news, keep in mind that catch limits have applied to tuna for years, and been routinely ignored by all but the Sea Shepherds who took it upon themselves to document and stop illegal fishing activities.  So, forgive me a bit of pessimism about this latest move to protect sharks.  It’s a step in the right direction, but in no way can we consider this matter resolved.  Note too that this protection applies to only six species of sharks, out of an estimated 450 (of which about one third are endangered).