Page 69 - BBC Wildlife - August 2017 UK

AGENDA OPINION

Mark Carwardine’s

ATAGLANCE...

19 SHARK FINNING

WHAT IS SHARK FINNING? consumption). It is estimated What’s worth more way to secure an enforceable
It is the gruesome practice that as many as 73 million – a whale shark (fins ban on shark finning, while
of cutting off a live shark’s sharks are killed for shark- attached) or a bowl enabling the collection
of shark-fin soup?
fins and throwing the rest fin soup every year – an of species-specific
of the animal back into the indiscriminate slaughter management data. The
sea, where it dies a slow that is pushing many EU approved similar
and painful death. The species to the brink legislation in 2013,
fins are used in China and of extinction. and other countries
Hong Kong, and by Chinese are following suit.
communities elsewhere in the WHY SHOULD Trade in a number
world, as the key ingredient in WE CARE? of shark species is
shark-fin soup. Many people fear banned or controlled
sharks and don’t care under the Convention
WHAT’S SHARK-FIN SOUP? whether they survive or on International Trade in
This glutinous broth is a not. But, ecologically, as top Endangered Species (CITES).
traditional Chinese dish predators their disappearance
dating back more than 1,000 will disrupt entire ocean WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE?
years. Once a rare delicacy ecosystems. Economically, It is critical to reduce demand,
consumed only by the Chinese they are worth more alive than AS MANY by changing attitudes. There
aristocracy, it played an dead – in contrast to the short- ` AS 73 are encouraging signs that
important role as an indicator lived profits of shark finning, shark-fin soup consumption
of social standing. The fibres shark diving has become a MILLION is declining and several dozen
take on a consistency similar sustainable, multi-million SHARKS ARE airlines and hotel chains have
to noodles, but they have pound business. Scientifically, stopped serving it. In 2012, the
virtually no taste or nutritional medical researchers want KILLED FOR Chinese Government banned it
value, so chicken stock or to learn how shark wounds THEIR FINS at official functions, though the
something similar is added to heal so quickly and how they EVERY YEAR, motive was more for austerity
improve the flavour. seem to be resistant to cancer. than conservation.
Spiritually, an ocean without PUSHING MANY
WHY IS IT A PROBLEM? sharks is unthinkable – like SPECIES TO WHAT NEXT?
In the past 20 years or so, the Serengeti without lions. Despite progress, shark-fin
the demand for shark-fin THE BRINK OF soup is still a long way from
soup has rocketed. It is still ARE SHARKS PROTECTED? EXTINCTION.” being relegated to history.
associated with privilege and In 1999, the UN developed Also, a new problem has
social rank – a bowl of soup the International Plan of arisen: fishermen are
can cost up to US$100 – but Action for the Conservation switching to shark meat and
the explosive growth in the and Management of Sharks, creating new appetites for a
Chinese economy means that but no country is forced to product that wasn’t popular
hundreds of millions of people participate and progress before. In many countries
can now afford this luxury. has been slow. Beyond that, trade in shark meat has
Many consider it de rigueur shark legislation varies MARK CARWARDINE grown exponentially – so
at important events such as greatly between states, is a frustrated and finning bans alone aren’t
weddings, birthdays, business providing anything from zero frank conservationist. enough to reduce the number
Every month he
banquets and during Chinese (Hong Kong) to weak to full demystifies some of the of sharks being killed. A new
New Year celebrations. Shark- protection (the Bahamas). most important issues approach is clearly needed.
affecting the world’s
fin soup is also popular in The US Shark Conservation
wildlife and assesses
traditional Chinese medicine Act 2010 requires that all the organisations
that protect it.
sharks (except smooth
(although research suggests
Mark Carwardine that it contains so much dogfish) be brought ashore O Would you like to + FIND OUT MORE
Learn about Fin Fighters
comment? Email
with their fins intact. Many
mercury and other toxins
at www.finfighters.org
wildlifeletters@
people believe this is the only
it is barely fit for human
immediate.co.uk
August 2017 BBC Wildlife 69