Greenland abandons plan to kill 1,000 sharks after legal concerns

Avannaata municipality on Greenland's west coast approved a program offering fishers roughly $45 for each Greenland shark heart, aiming to protect cod and halibut catches. Mayor Lars Erik Gabrielsen argued the measure was needed to preserve fishermen's livelihoods. Marine experts, including Nick Dulvy and Spencer Roberts, condemned the plan as a disaster for a species that can live up to 400 years and is highly sensitive to exploitation.

National officials raised legal doubts, prompting the local government to suspend the cull. While the immediate threat has been paused, officials have not ruled out future actions, and alternatives such as compensation or acoustic deterrents are being discussed. The episode highlights broader concerns about shark mortality in global fisheries and the ecological role of apex predators.