Sharkwater

[SPG3K]

.......

I just watched the film for the first time. All I can say is this.

PETA has a flying s*** fit when you test shampoo on a dog, or leave a bird in a cage too long, or wear a fur coat, but they couldn't care less that these animals are finned and thrown back in the ocean by the 1,000's?

If ever there was proof that PETA is simply a political grandstand - I just watched it. What a sad, sad, useless group of people.

Where are the cries for aid or protection? Where is the "Save The Sharks" campaign. Why can't I log on the internet and find an "Adopt a Shark" webpage.

******* the whales. Save the sharks. The world has learned enough about whales, they've had their 15 minutes. The saddest part is - writing letters and making phone calls won't ever help. The people with the power to do something about this are too caught up in their daily struggle for power and reelection, on both sides of the aisle.

I have always been an animal lover. My work as a Cop makes me frequent cases of abused animals, and I have to admit, seeing said incidents makes me want to lock people up and throw away the key.

I'd give anything for 5 minutes with the guy on the boat that shows you the shark - still alive, and then lets it slide off while smiling at the camera man. Maybe he'd like to go for a swim with no arms and legs so I can sell them to a restaurant, while I smile at the cameraman.

I just don't know where to start. Our world is so caught up in nuclear weapons, and power struggles and the value of the dollar or yen or pound. There is no room left in people's daily life to worry about something they never see. That video should be required viewing for anyone currently seated in public office - of any level.

I wouldn't mind a diving trip to the harbor where those fin boats are moored.

With a few sticks of dynamite.

 

[ScubaSteve]

SPG3K, you are right. PETA are nothing but a bnch of *******ING morons who can't see past the fluffy friggin poodle. And the whole finning industry is so political is is disgusting. People, inlduding politicians are lining their pockets while we desecrate several species of sharks by cutting off their fins and throwing them back to drown. Absolutely disgusting.

I will dive with you but I want to sink their f'ing boats by hand....I want to float on the surface nearby and watch them sink. I am by your side.

 

[Staticdiver]

i would agree with both of you. such a sad but good movie. and let me know when and where you want to go and ill meet you there and ill bring a cutting torch and sink them as they burn.

 

[deco_martini]

PETA is only taken seriously by dumb celebrities. It shouldn't matter how PETA feels about finning. It is not a reputable organization.

 

[TishaDee]

I'd have to agree that it's totally ridiculous how PETA picks and chooses the animals they want to advocate for. If your an organization (supposedly) dedicated to saving animals, you should work towards saving them all, not just the cute and fuzzy ones.

Luckily not everything thinks like PETA and there is a new movement that's beginning to saving the waters most majestic creatures. So if you are truly interested in shark conservation there is a group dedicated to savings just the sharks. I'm not sure if there are others out there doing this, but my husband and I both have donated $ to this one and believe it's doing good things. It's called Adopt A Shark and you can find out more info about them at Shark Conservation - Adopt A Shark.com.

My husband and I both adopted "Scarsboard" the Great White. Unfortunatley she already lost her tracker, but for a little while there, we were able to follow her whereabouts. I implore anyone who reads this to adopt a shark and let the world know that we do care and that sharks deserve to be protected.

Thanks to "Shark Week" and movies like "Jaws" and "Open Water" the brain washed masses don't feel their worth saving, so very little is done to protect them. Sadly, it might just be up to us divers to see this effort through. We're the only group who seems to care and the only group that is truly world-wide enough to make an impact in those far reaching countries where most of the shark finning is going on.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

There are many organizations that are fighting for the protection and conservation of sharks. I am a member of quite a few:

The Sea Shepherd Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - Longline Campaign
The Shark Research Institute Shark Research Institute- shark conservation, education, research
Oceana Oceana
The Shark Alliance The Shark Alliance Under their members area you will find many more!
SHARKWATER Make a difference, see Sharkwater
Palegic Shark Research Foundation The Pelagic Shark Research Foundation

The problem with sharks, is that they aren't the cute fluffy polar bear or "Flipper" cute dolphin. Discovery Shark Week has become the week of villifying an incredible creature with very little information being put out to the general public at the state many species are in. So, it is up to us, to educate, fund, and volunteer to fight the good fight. If you google shark conservation, you will find many organizations. Since some species have vast ranges, many of these organizations from many countries work together to learn more about them and lobby to protect them.

I had the pleasure of volunteering on a Whale Shark Expedition in Mexico in December 2007 with The Shark Research Institute. All the sharks we tagged are up for adoption and that information is available on the SRI website. You can see me taking measurements in my gallery and of our lead Marine Biologist tagging using a type of Hawaiian sling. It was an incredible experience for me and the best 5 days of my life!

Happy protecting my shark beauties!
Carolyn:sharks:

Ps: Speaking of sinking ships, Paul Watson of Sea Shepherd has sunk many whaling ships and almost got an illegal fishing boat who was finning in protected waters. If you become a member, they are looking for volunteers to work their boats for 1 month expeditions. As they say, it is dangerous work, anything can happen, but it will be the most rewarding thing you could do. So something to think about for all you anti-finning terrorists .

 

[drbill]

I'm not a big fan of PETA either. However, is there a statement from them that they do not care about sharks? It wouldn't surprise me, but I'm curious.

I had 11 death threats from "animal rights" people when we were removing two introduced non-native (not even to North America) species (feral goats and pigs) from the island to try to save at least 50 species of native plants. Interesting how they disregarded the danger to the native species and ecosystems and fought to save the non-natives. Total lack of understanding about ecological communities.

 

[Skull]

I'm not a big fan of PETA either. However, is there a statement from them that they do not care about sharks? It wouldn't surprise me, but I'm curious.

I had 11 death threats from "animal rights" people when we were removing two introduced non-native (not even to North America) species (feral goats and pigs) from the island to try to save at least 50 species of native plants. Interesting how they disregarded the danger to the native species and ecosystems and fought to save the non-natives. Total lack of understanding about ecological communities.

Dr Bill ...if by chance you happen to hit one of those feral pigs with your golf cart or by chance practicing throwing a spear or bow and arrow and accidently hit one ... please, please, please feel free to e-mail and I will take it off your hands better yet I will send you an insanely delicious recipe for wild boar chili ... you will never eat beef based chili again.

ps ...look no further than the Ensenda Bj Mex and the purse seiners literally clearing the westerrn pacific of tuna, dorado, yellowtail and sharks.

 

[LIVES4SHARKS]

I think, like some environmental groups, that PETA tends to be very shortsighted. It's the immediate gratification of media attention that they tend to go after most in many of their campaigns. There are many examples where PETA's efforts have done more harm than good. PETA Kills Animals | PetaKillsAnimals.com I appreciate many of their efforts, but the "holier than though" attitudes tends to keep me away from supporting their organization. My money is better spent elsewhere.

Carolyn:sharks: