Save sharks, Shark Stewards

[Sharkfilms]

Over 100,000,000 sharks are killed each year, a great proportion to suport the shark fin industry. This wasteful practice is literally decimating the ocean's top predator, and the effects of this are directly damaging the ecosystem in which they play an essential role. Learn about sustainability, sharks and conservation, and sign the petition at sharkstewards.com.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

Do more than sign petitions. Join organizations that desperately need help to study, protect, and lobby shark conservation. Volunteer to educate schools, use your dive clubs and shops to adopt eco diving trips. We as stewards of the seas need to do everything we can to raise awareness of the troubles that our oceans are facing!

Happy protecting my sharks!
Carolyn:sharks:

 

[Trixxie]

The WWF and other international organizations and governments worldwide need to make this disgusting practice Illegal!! :smash:

I don't get our govenrment's policy - it's illegal to do within a certain amount of miles of the US coast, it's illegal to have them on board a ship but it's ok to tell them in a store???

 

[Thalassamania]

What people have to come to realize is that you can not just lop off huge numbers of the top predators and scavengers in an ecosystem and expect the system to survive.

 

[deco_martini]

Over 100,000,000 sharks are killed each year

A number which environmental groups float and appears on one NOAA page without source, but which isn't supported by studies. The last peer reviewed study on the subject concluded around 38 million, which is still an unsustainable number, but which is isn't simply made up.

One thing is for sure, made up facts won't protect sharks since once your facts and figures are discredited, you stand on nothing but opinion.

Sustainable fishing is a battle around the world right now and sharks aren't the only fishes affected.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

A number which environmental groups float and appears on one NOAA page without source, but which isn't supported by studies. The last peer reviewed study on the subject concluded around 38 million, which is still an unsustainable number, but which is isn't simply made up.

One thing is for sure, made up facts won't protect sharks since once your facts and figures are discredited, you stand on nothing but opinion.

Sustainable fishing is a battle around the world right now and sharks aren't the only fishes affected.

Looking at the depletions in shark populations, the 100,000,000 is an estimate. Huge numbers of shark caught on longlines are not counted if all they take are the fins. Regardless, when most sharks are not sexually mature until the age of 15-20yrs, they cannot come close to reproducing at the rate they are caught. Looking at the huge number of fins drying on the docs of many countries, especially those illegally caught, the number is becoming less science fiction and more science fact. Many Shark organizations are standing to that number. Lets not bicker numbers and start enforcing the laws and demanding further restrictions on imports of shark products. I will not spend one dime in Vegas as long as they sell Shark Fin soup at their high end restaurants. I do not buy shrimp due to the damage to the ocean floor and about 85% is bycatch, and I do not buy any products with fish oil or shark cartiladge. I also try to push the issue at our health food store and educate those around me. We all can do something.

The Shark Alliance
Shark Research Institute- shark conservation, education, research
Shark Trust
Sharklife Conservation Group - Home
Shark Foundation - Foundation for research and the preservation of sharks
Protect The Sharks - Foundation for protection and preservation of sharks
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society

Fighting the good fight!
Carolyn:sharks:

Remember, the loss of apex predators will lead to the destruction of the ocean eco system. This does include TUNA, SWORDFISH, RAYS and SHARKS!

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

A number which environmental groups float and appears on one NOAA page without source, but which isn't supported by studies. The last peer reviewed study on the subject concluded around 38 million, which is still an unsustainable number, but which is isn't simply made up.

If you do more research, 38 million is estimated on the low end. That figure was from 2006 also. 38 million was an estimate based on the amount of shark sold legally and illegally on the Asian market.

(see 2nd article)
"The researchers used a statistical model based on data from Hong Kong traders to calculate the aggregate weight and number of sharks represented in the fin trade"

More Sharks Than Estimated Killed For Fin Soup: Study
Up to 73 million sharks killed per year for their fins
Assignment Earth: Brian Skerry - - PopPhotoSeptember 2007

Carolyn:sharks:

 

[Thalassamania]

Better to use a lower supportable number than a higher number that leaves your veracity open to question. It detracts from the efficacy of your argument when you get into a fight over the validity or the data. 36 or 100 million, does it really matter? Either one is a major problem.