Save Sharks, Save the World
It’s backwards: Sharks should be afraid of humans, not the other way around. Every year, an estimated 100 million sharks are pulled from the water, their fins are sliced off, and their mutilated bodies are thrown back into the sea to sink to the bottom while slowly bleeding to death. The finning industry is erasing sharks from our oceans.
The shark-fin market in Asia—particularly with growing demand from an increasingly affluent middle class in China—is fueling this merciless and mercenary industry. Shark-fin soup threatens the balance of the marine ecosystem and puts billions of animals at risk.
How You Can Help
- Refuse to be a part of the cruelty. Never eat, use, or buy any products made from sharks, including vitamins and supplements.
- Speak up. If a restaurant, hotel, or store is selling shark meat, tell the manager, owner, or staff that you are upset and walk out. If you hear about a place selling shark meat, call the owners or send them a letter to let them know that you won’t be visiting their establishment.
- Write! Send letters and e-mails to the editor of your local newspaper that discuss the cruelty and environmental devastation of the shark-finning industry.
- Spread the word. Tell everyone you know about the war on sharks. Share information on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter.
Canada, the nations of the European Union, the United States, and several other countries have laws against shark-finning, but much of Asia has yet to take any action. Compassionate people must continue to take a stand against shark-finning and refuse to purchase any shark meat or shark products. We can also help protect sharks and all animals from cruelty by going vegan today.
Posted by Edwina Baier
