Why are they disappearing?
One third of all oceanic sharks are at risk of being extinct. Sharks are such a vulnerable species because it takes along time for them to mature and produce few offspring. There are two main reasons while sharks are disappearing, finning and fishing.
SHARK FINNING Shark finning is a cruel and unusual practice where a sharks fins are taken and used for shark fin soup. Sharks are fished out of the ocean, fins hacked off (the sharks are usually alive when this happens) and then thrown back into the water. This ends up killing the sharks, as they either bleed to death or suffer from asphyxiation because they cannot get water flow through their gills. There is an estimated 100 million sharks killed each year, and 73 million are killed for shark fin soup. When the fins are sliced off over 98% of the fish is wasted, since fins are more valuable than the rest. This cruel practice is used for shark fin soup. Shark fin soup is regarded as a status symbol in Asian countries, having it at a wedding meant you are wealthy and prosperous. Some even believe it brings good luck and fertility, when it is exactly the opposite. Shark fins can have up to 4X the safe limit of mercury. Sharks ingest all the tuna and other fish with mercury in them, and then acquire a mercury buildup, which can actually cause infertility. Shark finning is a terrible way to kill a shark, and this cruelty should end. Overfishing also accounts for the sharp shark population decline. Pelagic, or open ocean sharks, are caught on the high seas as a product of bycatch. Bycatch is when a fisherman goes out to catch a certain species of fish, and ends up with that species and other species as well in his net. Nets like this are often several miles long and hundred of feet deep. And who do you think is going to be most attracted to dead fish? Sharks. Sharks are going to come first and be attracted to those fish who are dead and the other animals caught in the net/ trying to eat those fish. Sharks are not only caught from nets, but from long-lining, trawling and other methods of fishing as well. How can you help? -Don't eat shark fin soup! -Eat sustainably caught fish from your local market -Click the tab that says "How can i help/donate" contact me: [email protected] |
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