We’ve all heard of the film “Jaws”, we’ve seen documentaries on television about shark attacks in Australia, South Africa and other warm climates, but how much attention is paid to fisherman “attacks”.

It seems that the perfect predator cannot escape the clutches of fishermen in Asia who sell their fins for soup. Yes that’s right, millions of sharks each year are killed to make a bowl of soup worth around $100.

The Asian “delicacy” is served to businessmen and tourists, making frequent appearances on wedding menus, as well as being sold at supermarkets just in case you fancy a fin one evening.

I perfectly respect the fact that fishing is an important livelihood to millions, but it seems that the cruelty behind the practice of finning cannot be justified by this fact.

The sharks are caught and their fins removed whilst they are still alive. The shark is then dumped back into the sea to slowly die from blood loss, from being eaten by other sea creatures and from drowning, since their gills cannot filter the warning as they can’t swim.

Campaigners are calling for a change as the numbers and species of sharks are dwindling. Could caps be placed on the numbers caught? Should the entire shark be used once it’s caught, not just its fin.

In comparison to the tragedies that have occurred in the world recently, this issue seems microscopic. I’ve had the pleasure to swim with sharks and it’s heartbreaking to think that millions of years of evolution can be wiped out over a bowl of soup.

Please help to end the finning of sharks.

x

P.s. On a greater note… please help support the Japanese Red Cross or the New Zealand Red Cross with your donations through the Red Cross Website. Thanks!