Smithsonian: Sharks The people's battle against the terrors of the sea And the sharks' fight to survive Outline Shark populations have been hit hard lately. It remains to be seen whether tough new conservation measures will help them recover. - Conniff Introduction - In October 1992, a surfer named Rick Gruzinsky was attacked while surfing in Oahu. Only suffered minor scratches. Two weeks later, a shark killed an 18 year old body border off the beaches of …showed first 75 words of 1133 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1133 total…legal. It was the first time most Americans had ever heard of a market for shark fins. The shark industry is trying to live down their reputation from many incidents. Live finning is the worst, says fishermen. It was the emotional catalyst that started the management plan. Under the new management plan, American boats will still be allowed to land fins, but they may constitute only 5 percent of the dressed catch, making finning economically impractical.