Shark finning petition!!

[WannaLaguna]

Divers!

Sharks need your help. I was introduced to a university student that is looking for support to shut down a Niagara Falls Casino that is selling shark fin products

Go here and sign this petition:

Get Shark Fin Off the Menu @ Golden Lotus Restaur. Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

you can also join her facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=32263563263&ref=mf

Thanks in advance! Send the link to EVERYONE you know!

 

[FrankPro1]

Is there a way to sign the petition without donating money? I entered my info and clicked sign petition, but then it took me to donation page

 

[White Knight]

A couple of questions: If the whole shark was used would it be ok then? Should we boycott Asia, Asian tourists, and Asian products--such as your new Toyota truck or your trip to the Orient too? They’re the ones eating the shark fin soup—that is why the casino is offering it up. Just trying to attack those rich, shark fin eating, Asians with money to burn on a Black Jack table. If they would just quit eating the stuff.....the market would go away and the sharks would be saved. Until, of course, they decided to eat "shark" soup instead of just "shark fin" soup.

 

[FrankPro1]

A couple of questions: If the whole shark was used would it be ok then?

In my own opinion, yes and no. It would most definitely make it less taboo, because they are using the full animal and not wasting it. At the same time no, because sharks are apex predators and in my own opinion...no apex predators should be killed for human consumption. Let the prey be prey and the predators be predators. No logical reason to kill bears, sharks, wolves, etc. etc....Besides little cojones men wanting to feel like they've got big ones because they killed a scary predator. "Again just my opinion"

 

[WannaLaguna]

In my own opinion, yes and no. It would most definitely make it less taboo, because they are using the full animal and not wasting it. At the same time no, because sharks are apex predators and in my own opinion...no apex predators should be killed for human consumption. Let the prey be prey and the predators be predators. No logical reason to kill bears, sharks, wolves, etc. etc....Besides little cojones men wanting to feel like they've got big ones because they killed a scary predator. "Again just my opinion"

Frank is right. The fact of the matter is the entire animal is NOT being used. These fishing fleets are supposed to have no more than 5% of their total weight to consist of shark fins. Look at any documentary or find any picture online... you will see piles of fins and NO or very few bodies.

I would add that it's not about the "culture" It about the methods used to catch these animals and the amounts they are catching. It takes 8 years plus for a shark to reach sexual maturity and if they are all being caught before they can reproduce the entire shark population starts to decrease rapidly. That's what's happening now. Some species are on the brink of extinction. And why? Because of status of the diner? The false belief that sharks have some sort of magical healing powers....

You don't have to donate. Once you sign the petition your name is on the list and you are showing your support.

Take a deep breath...now take another...feels good doesn't it?? Thank a shark. They keep the balance in the oceans in check. Without sharks the entire eco-system is completely thrown out of whack. 70% of the air we breath comes from the ocean. And sharks are directly responsible for our existence.

 

[White Knight]

WannaLaguna, I don't disagree with you regarding the state of sharks and their contribution to the oceans! I do disagree with the feeble attempt to sign a petition against shark fining in America—and then pretend we are all doing our small part to defend the planet. News flash, Americans don't eat shark fin soup. Asians eat shark fin soup. Simply attempting to make life uncomfortable for an American business establishment attempting to accommodate the culture of its target audience is limp. If Americans were "really" serious about shark hunting practices, whaling, etc., we would boycott Asia entirely and quit buying their exports such as cars, steel, computer equipment, produce, textiles, etc. Otherwise, we are all nothing more than a bunch of weak Hippocrates. You want to send a message, then send a message—give up your Toyota and tell the Asian world why you did. A petition to a USA business means "nothing" in the fight to save sharks. Nothing!!!!

 

[WannaLaguna]

WannaLaguna, I don't disagree with you regarding the state of sharks and their contribution to the oceans! I do disagree with the feeble attempt to sign a petition against shark fining in AmericaÍÂnd then pretend we are all doing our small part to defend the planet. News flash, Americans don't eat shark fin soup. Asians eat shark fin soup. Simply attempting to make life uncomfortable for an American business establishment attempting to accommodate the culture of its target audience is limp. If Americans were "really" serious about shark hunting practices, whaling, etc., we would boycott Asia entirely and quit buying their exports such as cars, steel, computer equipment, produce, textiles, etc. Otherwise, we are all nothing more than a bunch of weak Hippocrates. You want to send a message, then send a messageÍÈive up your Toyota and tell the Asian world why you did. A petition to a USA business means "nothing" in the fight to save sharks. Nothing!!!!

US business that serve these products are contributing to the end result. These business directly or indirectly are contributing to the mass extinction of a species.

I agree, about the boycott. I will NOT step foot in a restaurant or other establishment that sells shark products. Trust me I am in contact with the largest offenders on the Asian market. Don't be fooled there is a LARGE movement in Asian against the act of shark murder.

For the most part the younger Asian generation are breaking away from this old world view on shark fin products. It comes down to education and exposure.

The real problem here is sustainability and the fact that far too many sharks are being taken before the have a chance to reach sexual maturity.

Almost 90% of all shark species are threatened to one degree or another. Should the fisheries continue at this rate there will not be any industry left. They would have raped and pillaged and entire species completely out of existence.

The delicate balance of the ocean's already fragile eco-system is already in a dyer state. This is just one more example of human arrogance and denial that we are to blame for anything.

Activation through Education.

You cannot simply ask people to do the right thing... you have to SHOW THEM HOW. And how it affects them...

We being scuba divers should ALL be at the forefront of this issue doing what we can so future generations of divers get to actually see these beautiful creatures in there natural environment and NOT in book or museum. Because if it comes to that...we as a race will not be around much longer.

Think about it. Sharks have been around for over 400 million years. In just a few generations...We have almost completely wiped them out. How said is that.

 

[White Knight]

Again, I agree with everyone that Sharks are being wiped out and I agree with their importance to the natural world. I agree also that their importance needs to be shown to the world. And I apploud the efforts being done to stop the over fishing of sharks. All that said, I am tired of seeing "anti whale hunting" demonstrators and "save the sharks" environmentalist showing up to their rallies in their Toyota Camrys or Honda Accords! Literally funding the very people they are trying to stop!!! I want to save the sharks too. As long as there exists demand to pay $50 for a bowl of shark fin soup, sharks are in trouble. We must shut down the demand. Hit the Asians where it hurts: In their pocket books. If not, the sharks (and whales) will absolutely disappear regardless of all the "toothless" petitions in the world.....I will proudly sign the petition. I just want more!

 

[vshearer]

Please take the time to read this.

Shark Declines Affect Shellfish: Coastal Ecosystem Collapse Possible as Shark Numbers Decline

I am not a sponge-hugger. This is a big problem.

They have wiped out the scallop industry on the Outer Banks as they are now the Apex predator.

 

[WannaLaguna]

Please take the time to read this.

Shark Declines Affect Shellfish: Coastal Ecosystem Collapse Possible as Shark Numbers Decline

I am not a sponge-hugger. This is a big problem.

They have wiped out the scallop industry on the Outer Banks as they are now the Apex predator.

Thank you for the article. It is EXACTLY this type of thing that people need to read and understand.

Also, arrogant/ignorant sport fisherman who think they have nothing to do with this problem are just out of touch. They are still contributing to the death of the species. If it's endangered...DON'T FISH IT!

I would say that these folks are worse than the finers because they are just catching sharks to prove something to themselves or compensate for some other short coming. These killings are completely without reason and senseless.

I know this is going to tick a few people off but....maybe it will make you think...