Scientists say sharks need better protection

PARIS – Sharks may not be the best poster child for animals in danger — but environmentalists say even predators with sharp pointy teeth need better protection.

Marine experts and conservation groups hope a conference in Paris this week will bolster weak rules on shark capture.

Oceana and other conservation groups want the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas to prohibit the capture of some threatened sharks, among other measures.

Right now, only one shark species is protected in the Atlantic — the big-eye thresher — and there are no catch limits on other sharks.

The tuna organization deals with sharks because they are traditionally an accidental catch for tuna fishermen.