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jeff_dudas
Joined: 30 Jun 2004
Posts: 752
Location: Miami, Florida
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 Posted: Fri Nov 11, 2005 4:55 pm Post subject: Shark fin groups hit out at critics' claims |
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| Quote: | Shark fin groups hit out at critics' claims
The shark fin industry has shot back at environmentalists who claim the delicacy threatens shark populations.
Andrea Chiu
Saturday, November 12, 2005
The shark fin industry has shot back at environmentalists who claim the delicacy threatens shark populations.
It also described as complete nonsense the suggestion that the industry uses "finning"- cutting the fin off while the fish is alive and then throwing the mutilated body back into the sea - saying that every part of the shark is utilized, including bones which are used in some Chinese medications.
Sharks Fin Trade Merchants Association chairman Chiu Ching-cheung said Friday that finning claims by environmental and animal rights organizations are nonsense and he called on representatives of the shark fishing community to defend their industry.
"We don't waste any part of the shark, that is a fact," European fishing industry representative Karim Ali said, adding that shark meat is used for food, sharkskin is often used for shoes and handbags and shark bones and liver are used in Chinese medications.
But marine conservationist Brian Darvell remains unconvinced, accusing them of lying.
"We have film of them doing it. There is plenty of documentation of dead sharks in the water. It's a joke that they can even claim that," he said.
Darvell said poaching for shark fin occurs worldwide but 70-80 percent ends up in Hong Kong.
The Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international agreement signed by 170 countries to ensure trade of wildlife does not threaten species. CITES Asia regional representative Giam Choo Hoo said there are currently no endangered sharks listed under the convention and only three under its appendix II.
Darvell conceded that Giam is correct but said it should be noted that CITES is a political organization that governments hide behind. He said an additional 240 to 250 shark species are in danger of being added to the appendix. "There is an enormous pressure on many shark species," he said.
Pressure from wildlife and environmental protection groups forced Hong Kong Disneyland to ban shark fin soup from its menu earlier this year.
Hong Kong University followed suit last week by removing the delicacy from both on- and off-campus menus.
Darvell said the shark fin industry has refused regulation and monitoring.
"Their attitude gives the game away. They've got something to hide," he said.
© 2005 The Standard, Sing Tao Media Corporation. |
source: http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=5524&sid=5443608&con_type=1 |
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april7178
Joined: 30 Sep 2005
Posts: 6
Location: Austin
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 12:16 pm Post subject: Shark Finning |
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I am not buying it for one minute. There have been hundreds of documented photos and video showing fishermen cutting the fins off and throwing the shark back to die in the water. Sure, I bet some places do actually use all of the shark; however, it is the demand alone for shark fins that cause and make up for the many who abuse the sharks and leave them to die.
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Silvershark
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 40
Location: Teesside, United Kingdom
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| Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2005 2:53 pm Post subject: |
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I agree with April, if there WERE using the entire shark, why are sharks minus their fins found lying at the bottom of the ocean?
And even then, if they are using the whole shark, shark populations are in trouble even though CITES doesn't say so,at least a third of the shark species are on the IUCN red list.
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Redguelph
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Wed Feb 15, 2006 10:44 am Post subject: Shark Fin Soup |
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| Could you please give me some advice on the best way to protest about a particular restaurant serving shark fin soup. The restaurant in question is in Canada. I literally felt sick when I saw it on the menu. Where do I start? |
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Silvershark
Joined: 28 Jul 2005
Posts: 40
Location: Teesside, United Kingdom
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| Posted: Fri Feb 17, 2006 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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Send them a letter that is polite and explains the reasons why having shark fin soup on the menu is bad. There is a shark finning fact sheet on the Shark Trust forum ( http://www.sharktrust.org ) and you could send this with your letter. Keep your letter relatively short and simple, to the point (definately no more than 2 pages of A4) and at the end, say that until shark fin is off the menu you shall not be visiting and you will encourage your family and friends to do the same.
Don't use any offensive language, much as you may want to!
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Redguelph
Joined: 15 Feb 2006
Posts: 4
Location: Canada
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| Posted: Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:13 am Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the advice. |
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jeff_dudas
Joined: 30 Jun 2004
Posts: 752
Location: Miami, Florida
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