Shark Cruelty

When people think about sharks they automatically think human killers. But the reality is that only about 10 people worldwide die from shark attacks on average each year. In fact more people die in vending machine related mishaps' than are killed by sharks.

Sharks are ancient creatures. They have been around for over 420 million years, even before the time of the dinosaurs. Since that time they have diversified into 440 million species. Around 1980 sharks became endangered because of human activity known as shark finning.

Shark finning is an in-human practice of the removal of shark fin and then throwing the still alive bodies back in the ocean. Left there to suffer, to die, or even get eaten by other fish.

This is resulting in sharks being killed for their fins at unsustainable rates. In a recent study it was estimated that the harvest of sharks for their fins is between 26 million to 73 million each year. In other words 26 million to 73 million sharks die each year, just so people can indulge their appetites!

Shark finning is a multibillion dollar business. One pound of dried shark fin can retail for $300 or more. This is done partly because in Costa Rica and Thailand having shark fin soup is a delicacy and can sell up to $400 per bowl. It is usually only served at special occasions such as weddings, banquets and important dinners. The worst part is that the shark fin does not even add any flavour, which means they're only eating it as a status symbol saying they can afford it. Although it is considered a prestige product the name translates to "fish wing soup" so many consumers do not even know it contains shark fins, therefore it is practically a scam.

The most common way to catch sharks is called long lining. It is described as a "curtain of death". Their length ranges from a mile to 100 miles and it is kept near the surface using floats. Secondary lines are attached at intervals of 30 meters or so, than baited by fish and squid.

Overall an ocean would not be an ocean without sharks. As a fierce predator they are crucial to the marine ecosystem. And so far the present situation for sharks could not really get much worse. Therefore sharks are in danger of facing extinction and we as humans cannot afford to lose another species, especially for such a meaningless purpose.

You can help end shark finning by donating and signing a petition at www.savethefish.org. The petition is hosted by a group called 'National Coalition for Marine Conservation'.

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