Karli Galione

Project 2 Draft 1
Professor Bradley
10/15/15
Sharks are Friends, Not Food
Sharks are no longer at the top of the marine food chain. A smaller
animal that does not live in the ocean preys on the oceans top predator. This
new top predator is killing and eating sharks faster than they can reproduce.
What animal is capable of this? Humans. Humans are known for cutting the
fins off of sharks for use in shark fin soup. This inhumane practice is driving
sharks to extinction and upsetting the oceans ecosystems, and something
needs to be done about it. Laws and other regulations are being put in place,
but more needs to be done to protect the sharks. The Support Our Sharks
Conservation Society is working to achieve this goal of encouraging the
conservation of sharks.
Every summer, there is a week dedicated only to sharks on Discovery
Channel. Shark Week, as it is called, has become increasingly popular. Its
purpose is to educate the public about sharks. Sharks are creatures that are
very misunderstood by humans. Because of attacks on humans, sharks are
believed to be very dangerous. Vic Peddemors, a shark ecologist, explains in
a Ted Talk that this is not the case. He explains that, in Australia, one is more
likely to drown than to be fatally attacked by a shark. In 2011, there were
only four fatal shark attacks, but 315 drownings, 35 of the drownings took

place in the ocean, where they could have been killed by a shark instead
(Peddemors). Instead of fearing sharks, sharks should be fearing humans.
The Support Our Sharks Ocean Conservation Society, or SOS for short,
is working across the globe to help protect sharks. One of the biggest threats
to sharks is shark finning. Finning is the inhumane act of cutting the fins off
of living sharks and throwing their mutilated bodies back into the ocean
(Sharks off the Menu 8). SOSs main goal is to educate the public on this
issue that could potentially damage the entire worlds ecosystem. They also
do their own research and publish news regarding conservation efforts and
anything relating to sharks. Their mission statement is To support healthy
oceans by promoting better protection for sharks and rays (Kempster).
Shark fins are the main parts of sharks consumed by humans. The
meat of the shark itself is not popular. Because of this, there is no reason for
fishers to keep the entire body of the shark on the boat. That is why they
throw the live, finless shark back into the ocean. It would be a waste of space
to keep they will not get paid for. This is part of the reason that overfishing is
such a problem. If less space is allowed on boats, less sharks will be
murdered.
The main reason shark finning exists is for an Asian dish called shark
fin soup. This is a traditional soup served at high-end events such as
weddings and other important events. It is made from chicken stalk and
other seasonings and ingredients. The fin itself has virtually no flavor and is
used purely for its texture. Mahr explains that shark fin soup is seen the

same as champagne is in the United States, more as a sign of wealth than as

a tasty treat.
Shark fin soup has been a traditional dish in Chinese culture dating
back to the Sung Dynasty (Dellapa 152). It is a way for the Chinese to show
off their wealth, generosity, and social class (153). At weddings, it is a
symbol of prosperity. It is considered rude if it is not served at an important
event. It makes the family look bad and poor. It was believed that if one
consumes wild, strong animals, it will give you strength (152). Not only would
eating shark make you stronger, according to the Chinese, it provided health
benefits.
In Hawaii, sharks were not commonly consumed. In fact, Dellapa
explains that sharks were seen as royalty to the Native Hawaiians (153).
When consumed, it was purely by males for them to gain power and
strength. Women could not eat shark because they associated sharks with
power and women did not have power in this society. Only certain species of
sharks could be consumed: the hammerhead and the reef shark. All other
sharks were too sacred for mere mortals to consume. Ancient Hawaiian shark
consumption laws were often punishable by death. Only certain people were
able to eat sharks other than the hammerhead and reef sharks. Those people
were the rulers and other of extremely high status. Sharks are so important
to the Native Hawaiians that when the Hawaii State Department of Land and
Natural Resources tried to move sharks from tourist destinations, the
Hawaiians fought back saying it was killing our ancestors (154).

Shark finning is a big deal. It is currently driving sharks to extinction.

Shark conservationist Bertha Lo explains that the actual amount of sharks
being killed each year is unknown. It is estimated that between 23 and 76
million sharks are killed per year solely for their fins. That is one in every
fifteen sharks (Green). Lo also states that if shark consumption continues at
its current rate, almost all sharks will be extinct by the year 2021. Rima
Jabado says that at least seventy four species of sharks are classified as
threatened. The sawfish is the most threatened shark species. Angel sharks,
wedgefishes, guitarfishes, and thresher shark are some of the most
threatened species of sharks.
China is the largest importer of shark fins. Lo explains that Hong Kong
received over 10,300 tons of shark fins from eighty three countries in 2011
alone. That is only equivalent to half of the annual shark finning economy.
Many people have a false idea that sharks reproduce quickly, like most
other fish. This is not the case. Krista Mahr reports that great white sharks do
not reach sexual maturity until they are twelve to fifteen years old. That is
the length it takes most humans to reach sexual maturity. Overall, different
species of sharks can take between seven and twenty years before they can
reproduce (Green). Once reaching sexual maturity, the gestation period is
between one and two years. Not only is the gestation period longer than that
of a human, they produce just as many babies per pregnancy as humans do
(Green). Because of this, sharks cannot repopulate as quickly as they are
being hunted. Jennifer Schmidt reports that many shark species have been

on a sharp population decline within the last fifteen years. Great white sharks
have had a seventy nine percent decrease, thresher sharks have decreased
by eighty percent, and scalloped hammerheads have decreased by eighty
nine percent (Schmidt). This is within two decades. Imagine populations of
humans decreasing at such high percentages.
If sharks become extinct, imagine what would happen to the oceans
ecosytems. Vic Peddemors explains that sharks are needed to have a
healthy, diverse ecosystem. If sharks are not present, there will be too many
fish in one area. They will proceed to eat all of the smaller fish or crustaceans
present and then leave the area because there is no regulation. If there are
no fish in an area, there will be no birds that live off of marine life. They will
either eat excess rodents or leave the area altogether. One little upset in an
ecosystem does much more damage than one might think.
Not only is shark finning bad for the oceans ecosystems, shark fins are
dangerous to humans. In the Ming Dynasty, shark was believed to be good
for rejuvenation, appetite enhancement, nourishing to blood, beneficial to
vital energy, kidneys, lungs and bones (Man). More recently, this has been
proven to be false. Shark contains extremely high counts of mercury (Man).
Each country has a maximum mercury level a fish can have before it is
unsafe and cannot be sold in the market. In Australia, the maximum level is
1,000 g/kg and three species of dog sharks contained a mean mercury
concentration of 7,200, 4,300 and 1,190 g/kg (Man). These numbers are
no where near the appropriate maximum level. In addition, fish contain a

special kind of mercury, called methyl mercury (MeHg). MeHg is more

dangerous than plain mercury because the brain absorbs it quicker due to its
atomic makeup. Mercury leads to many health conditions, including memory
loss, concentration disorders, developmental problems with fine-motor skills,
visual-spatial learning disabilities, and other cognitive deficiencies.
Because of the upset that the possible extinction of sharks is causing,
many nations are banding together to ban the process of shark finning.
There is no official international law that all nations have agreed upon;
however, there is progress being made. The Conventional on International
Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been
working with around 180 nations, beginning with the United States in 1974,
to protect endangered species of the world. There are many different levels
to which animals are protected. This all depends on the level at which they
are threatened. Unfortunately, not all nations have agreed to honor CITES
meaning not all nations must follow their laws. Also, exceptions can always
be made. Nations can obtain permits that allow them to still hunt the desired
animal. Each nation may manipulate the regulation guide that CITES
recommends, but it is not mandatory to follow. CITES is working to protect
sharks, but it still has a far way to go (Green).
The United States has done quite a bit of work to discourage shark
finning. In fact, it was made illegal to shark fin in US waters in 2000 when Bill
Clinton ratified the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000. This act included
the act of shark finning on any US boat even outside of the nations waters.

No unattached shark fin, including the tail, may be on a US boat. However,

the entire shark may be brought on board and its fins may be removed once
on US soil. These fish must be recorded before the fins are removed. It is not
illegal for shark fins to be consumed or imported. Thus far, nine states have
made laws against the use of shark fins for consumption or any other use.
These states include Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois,
Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, and Maryland
(Green). The passing of the extra shark protection laws was a huge deal in
California, as there is a place called Chinatown in San Francisco. Because
shark fin soup is such a big deal in the Chinese culture, the Chinese fought
against the illegalities of shark fin consumption. They argued that it was
discrimination toward their race, but California gave no shits. Although this
was a very controversial decision, it is possibly saving millions of sharks each
year. Many other states are working to follow the few states banning shark
fins (Green).
The European Union and Central America have both put laws into place
banning the practice of shark finning (Sharks off the Menu 8). Europe began
with banning shark finning in the European Union in 2003 but this law has
expanded more recently (Green). It is now illegal to cut the fins off sharks at
sea on any European Union flagged boat. At first, exceptions were made that
allowed fins to be cut off if the rest of the shark parts were used efficiently
(Green). In Central America, shark finning is prohibited in their waters and on

Central American boats. They, like American ships, may bring the entire
shark to land and cut off its fins there though (Sharks off the Menu 8).
In China, there are currently no laws outlawing the practice of shark
finning. However, due to the laws in place in other countries, shark
consumption and imports have decreased dramatically. The article Sharks off
the Menu states that, Shark fin imports to Hong Kong dropped seventy
percent between 2011 and 2012 (9). Crystal Green states that Hong Kong
imported 3,087 tons of shark fins in 2012 compared to 10,292 in 2011 (718).
In all of China, imports decreased in half in 2011 alone (718). . Unfortunately,
the exact number of shark fin imports is unknown, as it is not required for
China to record the exact number of imports each year. China will also no
longer be serving shark fin soup at official banquets (Sharks off the Menu 9).
This is a huge step in the protection of sharks. There is still much more
progress to be made though. Green reports that only twenty-one restaurant
owners out of the fifty-two surveyed were aware that sharks are endangered
due to the soup they were serving (721).
In Australia, there are areas, called no go areas, where water vessels
may not enter that have become increasingly popular. Schmidt explains that
these areas contained similar numbers of sharks to islands in the Indian
Ocean where there is virtually no fishing. Australia also has areas, called no
take zones where fishing is not allowed. Boats may enter, unlike the no go
zones, but strict rules are enforced. In the no take areas, there are
significantly less sharks than in no go areas. This is mainly due to the fact

that illegal fishing still happens. If laws were enforced, there would not be
ninety seven percent less sharks in no take areas than no go zones
(Schmidt). Australia may have banned shark finning in their waters, but they
still have a long way to go before sharks will ever feel safe there again.
A less commonly known way to protect sharks is to regulate which
sharks are being caught. Taiwan was one of the first countries in Asia to
place restrictions on shark finning. This nation has become an advocate for
all Asian nations to at least slow down on killing the sharks. They require that
all sharks must be brought to land before the fins may be cut off. Through
doing this, the species of each shark must be recorded. Once recorded,
nations may see which sharks are being caught most often. Because of this,
they may regulate which species of sharks may be finned (Liu).
Shark finning is a huge issue for sharks worldwide. It is driving these
magnificent beasts to extinction. It is time for them to be protected. Nations
have begun working to ban the inhumane practice of cutting the fins off live
sharks, but still have a ways to go before all sharks are safe. This is the
mission of the Support Our Sharks Ocean Conservation Society. They work to
educate those around the world about the dangers of ruining the oceans
ecosystem for a bowl of soup. Sharks are important and continue to make
the food chain remain the way it is. However, humans are ruining this.
Humans should not be shark-eating people, as sharks are not man-eating
killers.

Works Cited
Dell'apa, Andrea, M. Chad Smith, and Mahealani Y. Kaneshiro-pineiro. "The
Influence
of Culture on the International Management of Shark Finning."
Environmental management 54.2 (2014): 151-61. Print.

Green, Crystal. "An International Sos (Save our Sharks): How the
International Legal
Framework should be used to Save our Sharks." Pace International Law
Review 27.2(2015): 701-28. Print.

Jabado, Rima W. Gulf Elasmo Project. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Oct. 2015.

Lo, Bertha. "Sharks Fin - What's All the Fuss About?" TEDx Talk. Wan Chai. 21
Sept.
2012. YouTube. Web.

Liu, Shang-Yin Vanson, et al. "DNA Barcoding of Shark Meats Identify Species
Composition and CITES-Listed Species from the Markets in
Taiwan." PLoS
ONE 8.11 (2013): 1-8. Print.

Mahr, Krista. "Killer Cuisine." Time International (Atlantic Edition) 176.15

(2010):
40-. Print.

Man, Yu Bon, Sheng Chun Wu, and Ming Hung Wong. "Shark Fin, a Symbol of
Wealth
and Good Fortune may Pose Health Risks: The Case of
Mercury." Environmental Geochemistry and Health 36.6 (2014): 101527.
Web.

Peddemors, Vic. Sharks or Humans Who Should be Afraid? TEDx Talk.

Canberra.

3 Oct. 2012. YouTube. Web.

Schmidt, Jennifer V. "Sharks in Decline." Shark Research Institute. N.p., 24

Aug. 2011.
Web. 14 Oct. 2015.

"Sharks Off the Menu." Earth Island Journal 28.3 (2013): 8-9. Print.

Support Our Sharks. Ryan Kempster, n.d. Web. 07 Oct. 2015.