End shark finning – how you can get involved
Updated March 18th, 2011
We are angered, outraged and saddened by shark finning. It’s a cruel and utterly wasteful industry that is decimating shark populations everywhere.
But recent developments have given us hope. A bill banning the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins was passed in Guam last month. And there are proposals going forward in the legislatures of the Marshall Islands, Chile and the state of California. Perhaps the message is finally getting through that plundering the seas has serious consequences for marine life, economies and the ecosystem at large.
But it would be wrong to become complacent. Shark fin is still a highly desirable item in Asia and shops and restaurants continue to do a roaring trade in this dubious status symbol. Even in the affluent cities and towns of North America and Europe, shark fin fans continue feasting away, oblivious to the realities of environmental destruction and animal cruelty.
A report by International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) scientists reported that of 64 species of sharks and rays 32% are threatened with extinction, mainly as the result of overfishing. In addition, 24% were near threatened. However, only THREE species have protection under CITES.
For more details, see Shark Fin Soup? No Bloody Way!
Make your voice heard
But what can you do? Here are some organisations with useful info on how to get involved.
There are also many petitions and campaigns online.
Humane Society International‘s page on shark finning with a pledge
There is also an excellent report Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing for Sharks and Shark Finning
A report by the Pew Environmental Group that went to the CITES Conference earlier, it highlights the problems facing some of the more vulnerable species of shark.
The Film Sharkwater is an excellent movie highlighting shark finning. See the film’s official page on campaigns/getting the word out.
Put An End to Brutal Shark Finning – petition targeting the US Senate
More organisations campaigning against shark finning:
Shark Trust (UK)
Shark Savers (USA)
So no matter where you live, there will be an organisation you can contact and get involved with. Don’t despair in the battle against the big machine.
Do they sell shark fin? Don’t give them your money
There is consumer power. Chinese restaurants are the biggest culprits but shark fin is also found in other types of cuisine. Many higher-priced Japanese/sushi establishments serve shark fin. Ask what your local restaurants serve and don’t give your business to those fueling this industry.
Public outrage can put an end to shark finning
Here is a short video on how images of shark finning and bycatch of marine life caused outrage amongst the ordinary people of Costa Rica. Public pressure contributed to Costa Rica now having some of the strictest fishing laws in the world.
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Thanks so much, Lou, for the great compassionate work you’re doing in helping to raise awareness about how humans continue to contribute–often unknowingly–to the destruction of the environment and other life forms. Bravo!
A Kindred Spirit,
George
George Shears recently posted..Mindfulness in Action as A Way to Enhance Ordinary Happiness
Hi Lou, Great article and good cause. I often tell my children how precious life is. It is really bad how we destroy our planet in the name of pleasure….
Thanks for sharing
Larry Rivera recently posted..To Widgets Or Not To Use Widgets That Is The Question
[...] art of cooking shark fin is in using other ingredients to make it taste like something. Really, it’s an expensive [...]
[...] support efforts at conserving them everywhere in the world. Please make sure you don’t support the shark fin industry – either directly or indirectly. Show your support and appreciation of programs and businesses [...]
[...] governments and conservation groups have different ways to deal with shark finning, some things are [...]
I recently videotaped a shark fin drying operation in downtown Majuro, (Feb 2011) and am trying to force MIMRA, the Attorney General, etc. to take action. I shamed the director of MIMRA (Fishery Authority) to take action and place a moritorium on exporting shark fins, but I believe it may be meaningless, and that it may be simple to smuggle them out in a container… no one is really paying attention. On Arno, the carcasses are fed to pigs. Thousands of small reefs sharks (almost entirely grey reef sharks) are targeted. I will get the video up ASAP on YouTube (look for RMI shark fins)
Keep up your good efforts!