“A group of shark attack survivors in the U.S. are defending the very species that nearly killed them…
The group has been lobbying Congress to close loopholes in the nation’s shark fin ban. And it’s using a recent study by the Pew Environment Group on which to base its data. The Chinese delicacy was studied using 32 samples of identifiable shark DNA from across the United States. The results showed that 26 bowls (or 81 percent) contained fins from sharks listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened. The study was based on shark soup tests in 14 U.S. cities. And it was shark attack survivors who collected all the samples.
Ultimately, the survivors hope the study will convince the public that the ultimate price of shark fin soup is more than the pricey $100 listed on menus.
Pew says nearly one-third of shark species are in danger of extinction. And up to 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins.
U.S. President Barack Obama signed a law last year to tighten a ban on the practice of removing sharks’ fins and throwing the fish back into the ocean to die.”
“Most of us have forgiven. If you care about the ocean, you need to care about sharks.” - Debbie Salamone
Find out more information about the surfers and the campaign here.
12 Aug 2012 @ 05:08PM /
7 notes TAGGED AS: Shark Weeks sharks shark fin soup finning surfers shark conservation
