A Threat To Our Future
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A THREAT TO OUR FUTURE – ONE BOWL AT A TIME ©2010 Shark Rescue SHARK FIN SOUP * Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
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Shark fin soup and the shark trade is threatening sharks and ocean health. Use this presentation to raise awareness and cause local change, protecting sharks and ocean health.
Transcript of A Threat To Our Future
A THREAT TO OUR FUTURE – ONE BOWL AT A TIME
©2010 Shark Rescue
SHARK FIN SOUP
*Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
Shark Fin Soup – A threat to our futureThis presentation introduces sharks, how they are being hunted to extinction, what can be done to protect them, and where to go for more information.
About sharks
About finning
What we can do
Resources
ABOUT SHARKS
* Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
About sharks – Fascinating facts
• Sharks have been around for more than 400 million years.
• One way to identify a shark from other fish is from its gill slits.
• Shark skeletons are made of cartilage, not bones.
• Sharks have 7 senses, including the electrosense. They can feel the faint current coming from a working muscle, like your heart.
• Sharks reproduce by giving birth to live pups or by laying eggs.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
About sharks – Fascinating facts
• Sharks are crucial for bringing balance to the oceans.
• They grow slowly and mature late, some taking from 12-18yrs before being able to reproduce.
• When sharks reproduce, many only have 2-12 young per brood.
• Every year, sharks cause fewer deaths than lightening, dogs, deer or falling coconuts.
• Sharks are being killed much faster than they can reproduce.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
ABOUT FINNING
* Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
About shark fin – The awful facts
• Shark finning is the removal of a shark's fins, often while the fish is still alive. Fishermen often keep the fins and throw away the rest.
• The fins are collected from around the world as the main ingredient for shark fin soup.
• An estimated 73 million sharks are killed every year for their fins.
• The shark fin trade is changing the balance of the oceans.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Paul Hilton
About shark fin – The awful facts
Sharks from all over the world are caught for
consumption in shark fin soup.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Paul Hilton
It’s more profitable for fishermen to sell only the fins and throw away the
rest.
About shark fin – The awful facts
Fishermen don’t care how old the sharks are.
What they care about is getting the shark fins.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Paul Hilton
About shark fin – The awful facts
• The fins are dried and the cartilage is removed for use in soup.
• Since cartilage has no flavour, the soup gets its taste from the other ingredients (e.g. chicken stock).
• Mercury levels in the fins are much higher than the safety levels set by the World Health Organization.
• Honouring guests by serving shark is harming the balance of the world’s oceans, and serving shark fin is poisoning your guests.
* Copyright photo courtesy of Paul Hilton
WHAT WE CAN DO
What we can do – There is hope
• Although it could takes decades, if the killing stops now, shark populations may recover.
• Next time you’re invited to a banquet, let your host know as soon as you can that you do not want to eat shark fin soup. Explain why.
• Suggest they serve a vegetarian alternative or another dish that is equally impressive.
• Don’t be afraid to be a leader - you can lead to a better tomorrow!
* Copyright photo courtesy of Alex Hofford
What we can do – There is hope
Companies that have banned shark fin soup from their functions:
Jones Lang LaSalle Atkins Canon Hang Seng Bank HSBC Swire Coca Cola University of Hong
Kong
What we can do – There is hope
Be a Shark Recue Champion.
We invite you to be your own champion for positive social change. Here are some people who are making a difference and helping sharks.
All you have to do… is do it.
Ran
Stephen
Denvy Delian
Alex
Paul
RESOURCES
Resources – Find out more!
Online resources…
www.sharkrescue.com
www.sharksafenetwork.com
www.sharkwater.com www.scuba-
adventures.com www.alexhoffordphotogra
phy.com www.paulhiltonphotograp
hy.com
