FISHERMEN KILLING 100 MILLION SHARKS ANNUALLY

Shark populations are in grave danger, say researchers, who estimate that we are killing approximately 100 million of the predatory marine creatures each year. At this rate, the sharks, many of which only reachmaturity late in life, will not be able to maintain their numbers. Attempts to curb the killing of sharks by prohibiting finning —the widespread practice of harvesting fins from live sharks and then tossing the finless fish back into the ocean to die—have had little effect. If this overfishing continues, a number of shark species could face extinction.More… Discuss

SHARK FIN SOUP

 

 

The ingredient that gives shark fin soup its name actually lends little flavor to the dish. Instead, it is added to improve the soup’s texture—and the perceived status of the consumer. Considered a delicacy in Asia, where it is often served at weddings as a symbol of prosperity, the soup has led to an increased demand for fins, and shark populations have been decimated as a result. After their fins are removed, the still-living sharks are often returned to the water, where what happens to them? More… Discuss

Related articles

• Opposition growing in Chinese community to city’s ban on shark fin soup (calgaryherald.com)
• Excuse me waiter, but there’s an endangered species in my bowl of soup! (newswatch.nationalgeographic.com)
• Shark fin bans across Canada praised, challenged (ctvnews.ca)