Very Bad News

[Halthron]

I already boycott Disney...I mean avoid going there.

They serve it at weddings in Japan (Disney) I heard.

That's disturbing. I know they planned to in the HK park but pressure from various groups got them to stop before the park opened. I hadn't heard that about the two parks in Japan though.

 

[MantaRey]

You're right that government reports are very unreliable. Too many concerns for industry are considered. Similarly, many non-profit organizations have very biased view even before they begin research, which may affect data.

But again numbers aren't everything, if the experienced divers say they're disappearing, they are right. You can see the effects; and that's bad, you don't need numbers to tell you that.

 

[DeepBlueResort]

Hi DonJanni

Well the guys from Bite Back have been diving with me and I did not mean to, and I do not think I did say, that being based in England does give them credibility, all I mentioned was that they were based in England.

And yes I can assure you that they do have power and their figures are correct, they have the power to change what some of the largest supermarket chains etc sell, i.e. the equivalent of a company being able to change the views of people like K mart and Wall Mart in the USA, if they were not in the right do you think that these companies would have backed down??? these companies know what they are selling and know the problem.

You said, I think shark finning is cruel and disgusting. But them I am a product of the American Culture, I think most of us would agree with that statement, but I will say so is Disney !!!!!!!!!! look at earlier posts.

 

[djanni]

You're right that government reports are very unreliable. Too many concerns for industry are considered. Similarly, many non-profit organizations have very biased view even before they begin research, which may affect data.

But again numbers aren't everything, if the experienced divers say they're disappearing, they are right. You can see the effects; and that's bad, you don't need numbers to tell you that.

So is the fleet headed over to set up a blockade around Japan. Is the UN about to pass International laws to protect sharks? Are all the various International Governing Bodies about to unit to protect the sharks?

NO!

Should they? Maybe but what do the numbers say? Sorry my friend but it all runs on the numbers. I often wish it didn't but it does.

When public outcry matches the facts action will be taken. That you can be sure of.

EDIT: The public outcry comes first so keep up the good work. It is needed and we could lose the war without it.

 

[justleesa]

From the amount of trash I've seen on Oahu's beaches and they vast majority of Japanese writing on said trash, I can well imagine it was probably the victim of a Japanese fishing vessel somewhere around Oahu.

Maybe...we have so many cultures here. I know they recently caught 3 gentlemen killing a turtle that was resting on the beach. When caught they were asked why and they said that they do it in their home country...:shakehead

 

[isurus]

If only sharks were furry and cuddly all would be sorted by now. The way I see it there are a number of problems to be worked round:

1) People (generally, not so much divers) aren't bothered about just fish - take the number of "vegetarians" who tuck into salmon. This is a perception we'd need to work round
2) Policing - how do you protect a pelagic species when the high seas don't belong to any country so it only takes one rogue nation, or indeed lots of illegal poachers no-one can catch to continue the devastation?
3) What is the problem exactly - we assume its just finning but with the rates of industrial fishing/pollution etc what if thats not the only problem?

If all this sounds like I think there's too much to do and its too late - I don't, I think sharks will still be here in one form or another once we've either died out, evolved into sedentary keyboard jockeys or whatever else is in store. I do think there's a lot to do though and I think that whilst we can all do our bit by acting locally at the supermarket (and biteback's success proves this) the protection of the seas and as a result their sharks needs global political action.

 

[isurus]

Hi DonJanni

Well the guys from Bite Back have been diving with me and I did not mean to, and I do not think I did say, that being based in England does give them credibility.

Why not? we're very credible here in the uk!

And yes I can assure you that they do have power and their figures are correct, they have the power to change what some of the largest supermarket chains etc sell, i.e. the equivalent of a company being able to change the views of people like K mart and Wall Mart in the USA, if they were not in the right do you think that these companies would have backed down??? these companies know what they are selling and know the problem.

I think for the most part the companies probably don't care but if their buying public think the stats are right and care about them - they'll go for it. Organisations like the RSPB have turned onto the longlining industry too as a result of the bird life damage too - the more different organisations step up the greater the difference it'll make.

 

[MantaRey]

1) People (generally, not so much divers) aren't bothered about just fish - take the number of "vegetarians" who tuck into salmon. This is a perception we'd need to work round

That is so true. I never understood that logic. They don't like killing animals like cows and lambs... but fish, that's ok somehow? cows and lambs are bred with a purpose, domesticated. Someone please explain that.

Laws are nothing. The open seas are open. You're gonna put a law on something? Guess what that only applies to 10 miles out. pffft.

Plus it's the open ocean, there's no way to patrol it.

The japanese whale in antarctica, they are protected by law, doesn't mean it's right.

 

[isurus]

That is so true. I never understood that logic. They don't like killing animals like cows and lambs... but fish, that's ok somehow? cows and lambs are bred with a purpose, domesticated. Someone please explain that.

Yep - Its bad logic and factually screwed up. I like to challenge them on logic rather than emotion on this one. Ask about the fruit of the salmon tree or when they last saw a field of cod plants.

Should add I'm not going to get in anyone's face about eating anything as that doesn't solve anything but I will challenge their description of themselves.

 

[MantaRey]

Should add I'm not going to get in anyone's face about eating anything as that doesn't solve anything but I will challenge their description of themselves.

I like that philosophy.