Bahamas Bans Shark Fishing

Score another one for the sharks: The Bahamas has banned shark fishing in its coastal waters, becoming the second Caribbean nation to institute a ban in the past month, the Washington Post reports. It is now illegal to fish for sharks in 240,000 square miles of water surrounding the Bahamas, which is heavily dependent on tourism. Shark tourism in particular generates $80 million a year, and 40 different species of shark swim in its waters.

The ban on commercial fishing comes in response to a local seafood firm’s suggestion that the Bahamas could help fill China’s growing demand for shark’s fin soup. "2011 is fast becoming the year of the shark," says a Pew Environment Group official. Honduras instituted a total ban late last month. (More Bahamas stories.)