‘Threatened’ listing urged for shark species

PORTLAND, Maine — The oceanic whitetip shark’s declining status in the wild warrants listing as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, an arm of the federal government has determined.

Threats to the sharks include fishing pressure all over the world, as their fins are prized in Asian markets for use in soup.

The sharks have declined by 80 to 90 percent in the Pacific Ocean since the 1990s, and 50 percent to 85 percent in the Atlantic Ocean since the 1950s, said Chelsey Young, a natural resource management specialist for the fisheries service.

The fisheries service is collecting public comments about the shark’s status until March and is expected to make a final decision in November.