Ban the Sale of Shark fins in North America
Target:
Canadian Federal Government
Sponsored by:
Sharks being killed solely for their fins is wrong and needs to be stopped. As North Americans, we can show the governments and the rest of the world that we do not want this sick market in our countries. The selling of Shark fins in Canada is clearly evident, especially in the provence of Ontario. Below is some information on Shark finning, its impacts and what needs to be done. 20,000 signitures is a big goal to achieve, but one that will make the books. Sign the petition so we can stop the slaughter of this majestic creature!
What is Shark Finning?
What is Shark Finning?
- Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of shark fins and the discard at sea of the carcass. The shark is most often still alive when it is tossed back into the water. Unable to swim, the shark slowly sinks toward the bottom where it is eaten alive by other fish.
- Shark finning takes place at sea so the fishers have only the fins to transport. Shark meat is considered low value and therefore not worth the cost of transporting the bulky shark bodies to market.
- Any shark is taken-regardless of age, size, or species.
- Longlines, used in shark finning operations, are the most significant cause of losses in shark populations worldwide.
- Shark finning is widespread, and largely unmanaged and unmonitored.
- Shark finning has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fins (for shark fin soup and traditional cures), improved fishing technology, and improved market economics.
- Shark specialists estimate that 100 million sharks are killed for their fins, annually.
- One pound of dried shark fin can retail for $300 or more. It's a multi-billion dollar industry.
- Loss and devastation of shark populations around the world. Experts estimate that within a decade, most species of sharks will be lost because of longlining.
- Unsustainable fishery. The massive quantity of sharks harvested and lack of selection deplete shark populations faster than their reproductive abilities can replenish populations.
- Threatens the stability of marine ecosystems.
- Loss of sharks as a food staple for many developing countries.
- Local waters are invaded by large industrial, foreign fishing vessels that threaten traditional sustainable fisheries.
- Threatens socio-economically important recreational fisheries.
- Obstructs the collection of species-specific data that are essential for monitoring catches and implementing sustainable fisheries management.
- Wasteful of protein and other shark-based products. Up to 99 per cent of the shark is thrown away.
- Each country with a coastline is responsible for laws and regulations pertaining to fishing in their waters.
- A number of countries have shark-finning legislation. Many stipulate that fins must arrive in a 5 per cent weight ratio of the shark carcasses onboard. Only a few countries demand that sharks arrive in port with fins attached.
- According to the IUCN Shark Specialist group, the easiest way to implement a ban is to require that shark carcasses be landed with fins attached. The possession of fins alone on vessels would thus be illegal.
- Shark finning violates the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
- Shark finning is contrary to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's International Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
- The United Nations Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) lists the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark as species that could become threatened if trade is not controlled. To date, 169 countries have agreed to be legally bound by CITES.
Sharks being killed solely for their fins is wrong and needs to be stopped. As North Americans, we can show the governments and the rest of the world that we do not want this sick market in our countries. The selling of Shark fins in Canada is clearly evident, especially in the provence of Ontario. Below is some information on Shark finning, its impacts and what needs to be done. 20,000 signitures is a big goal to achieve, but one that will make the books. Sign the petition so we can stop the slaughter of this majestic creature!
What is Shark Finning?
What is Shark Finning?
- Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of shark fins and the discard at sea of the carcass. The shark is most often still alive when it is tossed back into the water. Unable to swim, the shark slowly sinks toward the bottom where it is eaten alive by other fish.
- Shark finning takes place at sea so the fishers have only the fins to transport. Shark meat is considered low value and therefore not worth the cost of transporting the bulky shark bodies to market.
- Any shark is taken-regardless of age, size, or species.
- Longlines, used in shark finning operations, are the most significant cause of losses in shark populations worldwide.
- Shark finning is widespread, and largely unmanaged and unmonitored.
- Shark finning has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fins (for shark fin soup and traditional cures), improved fishing technology, and improved market economics.
- Shark specialists estimate that 100 million sharks are killed for their fins, annually.
- One pound of dried shark fin can retail for $300 or more. It's a multi-billion dollar industry.
- Loss and devastation of shark populations around the world. Experts estimate that within a decade, most species of sharks will be lost because of longlining.
- Unsustainable fishery. The massive quantity of sharks harvested and lack of selection deplete shark populations faster than their reproductive abilities can replenish populations.
- Threatens the stability of marine ecosystems.
- Loss of sharks as a food staple for many developing countries.
- Local waters are invaded by large industrial, foreign fishing vessels that threaten traditional sustainable fisheries.
- Threatens socio-economically important recreational fisheries.
- Obstructs the collection of species-specific data that are essential for monitoring catches and implementing sustainable fisheries management.
- Wasteful of protein and other shark-based products. Up to 99 per cent of the shark is thrown away.
- Each country with a coastline is responsible for laws and regulations pertaining to fishing in their waters.
- A number of countries have shark-finning legislation. Many stipulate that fins must arrive in a 5 per cent weight ratio of the shark carcasses onboard. Only a few countries demand that sharks arrive in port with fins attached.
- According to the IUCN Shark Specialist group, the easiest way to implement a ban is to require that shark carcasses be landed with fins attached. The possession of fins alone on vessels would thus be illegal.
- Shark finning violates the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries.
- Shark finning is contrary to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization's International Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.
- The United Nations Convention on the Trade of Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) lists the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark as species that could become threatened if trade is not controlled. To date, 169 countries have agreed to be legally bound by CITES.
We signed the "Ban the Sale of Shark fins in North America" petition!
# 308:
10:50 pm PDT, Sep 8,
Emilie Yee, Canada
I just saw the documentary sharkwater. It has changed the way I view our Shark population.
I just saw the documentary sharkwater. It has changed the way I view our Shark population.
# 307:
7:29 am PDT, Sep 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
As a globally renouned peace loving and environmentally conscious country, we need to join in the fight to save our oceans. Save the sharks, save the ocean, save the environment.
As a globally renouned peace loving and environmentally conscious country, we need to join in the fight to save our oceans. Save the sharks, save the ocean, save the environment.
# 306:
8:37 am PDT, Sep 3,
Jupp Kerckerinck zur Borg, New York
Shark finning is a common thing on long-line fishing boats. This barbaric practice, together with long-line fishing itself, which is the worst kind of looting our oceans, needs to be stopped. www.sharkprotect.com
Shark finning is a common thing on long-line fishing boats. This barbaric practice, together with long-line fishing itself, which is the worst kind of looting our oceans, needs to be stopped. www.sharkprotect.com
# 305:
6:38 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Nathaniel Welch, Canada
FREE THE SHARKS!
FREE THE SHARKS!
# 304:
6:36 pm PDT, Sep 1,
Melissa Williams, Canada
# 303:
7:54 pm PDT, Aug 27,
Kelly Miranda, New Jersey
Most of all we must all realize every species has their own ecological system that has a certain food chains. No different for hunters for deer, foxes, squirrels, complaints have been to keep their population down. Sharks are the top of the food chain as we are. If we take them away they eat most of the diseased fish in our waters, they keep other fish population down, they are in their enviroment. If we take them away our ocean waters would be filled with disease and dead mammals and fish. If you would just read one book on sharks and their behavior, we are more harmful to them than they are to us. I have read over 150 books, I can draw any shark woithout having to look at a picture of them first. If we want to preserve our waters and land, we must start pretecting their wildlife. Always remember, in the ocean, you are in their domain, not ours. kelly miranda, vineland, nj
Most of all we must all realize every species has their own ecological system that has a certain food chains. No different for hunters for deer, foxes, squirrels, complaints have been to keep their population down. Sharks are the top of the food chain as we are. If we take them away they eat most of the diseased fish in our waters, they keep other fish population down, they are in their enviroment. If we take them away our ocean waters would be filled with disease and dead mammals and fish. If you would just read one book on sharks and their behavior, we are more harmful to them than they are to us. I have read over 150 books, I can draw any shark woithout having to look at a picture of them first. If we want to preserve our waters and land, we must start pretecting their wildlife. Always remember, in the ocean, you are in their domain, not ours. kelly miranda, vineland, nj
# 302:
9:09 am PDT, Aug 24,
Jorjan Mulder, Netherlands
Please, stop the finning of sharks!
Please, stop the finning of sharks!
# 301:
12:51 pm PDT, Aug 18,
Trevor Pewarchuk, Canada
# 300:
6:16 pm PDT, Aug 14,
Alexa rae Rowett, Canada
this needs to be stopped discusting...im signing thiss because im young, but know that i can do alittle something.
this needs to be stopped discusting...im signing thiss because im young, but know that i can do alittle something.
# 299:
9:00 pm PDT, Aug 12,
Sherri Bessire, Texas
# 298:
4:01 pm PDT, Aug 11,
Patty Jones, Canada
Needless and heartbreaking destruction of beautiful creatures, critical to the ocean's health. It seems the people still eating shark-fin soup simply don't care. They know, but they don't care about the shark's suffering and demise, so what do you do with people like that, who don't care about animal and fish welfare in the first place? Governments must at least step in, take strict action, and shark finners should be paid to protect sharks not kill them if they need a livelihood.
Needless and heartbreaking destruction of beautiful creatures, critical to the ocean's health. It seems the people still eating shark-fin soup simply don't care. They know, but they don't care about the shark's suffering and demise, so what do you do with people like that, who don't care about animal and fish welfare in the first place? Governments must at least step in, take strict action, and shark finners should be paid to protect sharks not kill them if they need a livelihood.
# 297:
5:51 am PDT, Aug 6,
Csilla Stewart, Canada
The slaughter of these magnificent creatures has to stop!!! Canada should not support or encourage the killing of sharks. Please make the sale of shark fins illegal in Canada!
The slaughter of these magnificent creatures has to stop!!! Canada should not support or encourage the killing of sharks. Please make the sale of shark fins illegal in Canada!
# 296:
6:28 am PDT, Aug 1,
BRITTANY BURNS, Indiana
LIKE I HAVE SAID BEFORE..SHARKS ARE AWESOME CREATURES!!WHEN YOU WANNA GO FOR A SWIM AND YOU NKOW THEY ARE SHARKS IN THE WATER AND YOU GO ANYWAYS..THT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK..STOP BLAMING THE SHARKS FOR BEING CURIOUS..SURE THEY HAVE KILLED A FEW PEOPLE..BUT SO HAVE WE..AND SOMETIMES THE SHARK DOES NOT MEAN TO YOU..WHEN YOU LOSE A LIMB FROM A SHARK ATTACK OR SOMETHING..YOUR GONNA LOSE ALOT OF BLOOD..ITS NOT THE SHARK NEW I T WAS YOU..THEY DONT SAY.."O LOOK THERE IS A HUMAN.IM GONNA GO KILL IT".THEY THINK YOU ARE THEIR NORMAL MEAL..SO PLEASE STOP WITH ALL THIS KILLING OF THE SHARKS..
LIKE I HAVE SAID BEFORE..SHARKS ARE AWESOME CREATURES!!WHEN YOU WANNA GO FOR A SWIM AND YOU NKOW THEY ARE SHARKS IN THE WATER AND YOU GO ANYWAYS..THT IS AT YOUR OWN RISK..STOP BLAMING THE SHARKS FOR BEING CURIOUS..SURE THEY HAVE KILLED A FEW PEOPLE..BUT SO HAVE WE..AND SOMETIMES THE SHARK DOES NOT MEAN TO YOU..WHEN YOU LOSE A LIMB FROM A SHARK ATTACK OR SOMETHING..YOUR GONNA LOSE ALOT OF BLOOD..ITS NOT THE SHARK NEW I T WAS YOU..THEY DONT SAY.."O LOOK THERE IS A HUMAN.IM GONNA GO KILL IT".THEY THINK YOU ARE THEIR NORMAL MEAL..SO PLEASE STOP WITH ALL THIS KILLING OF THE SHARKS..
# 295:
4:42 pm PDT, Jul 31,
Ryan Alderman, Colorado
The shear ignorance that shark finning will not permanently destroy our beautiful oceans shows what greed will do. I would hope that my children and grand children will be able to enjoy a creature that is so majestic and necessarily valuable to such an important ecosystem
The shear ignorance that shark finning will not permanently destroy our beautiful oceans shows what greed will do. I would hope that my children and grand children will be able to enjoy a creature that is so majestic and necessarily valuable to such an important ecosystem
# 294:
2:43 pm PDT, Jul 31,
Paul Lougheed, Canada
This is a no brainer. You would have to be completely corrupt, arrogant or plain stupid not to see the evil in Shark Finning. Hundreds of Millions of years of evolution down the drain in a few decades just for profit and superstition. I’m a free market conservative and still I find this destructive practice senseless, brutal and unforgivable.
This is a no brainer. You would have to be completely corrupt, arrogant or plain stupid not to see the evil in Shark Finning. Hundreds of Millions of years of evolution down the drain in a few decades just for profit and superstition. I’m a free market conservative and still I find this destructive practice senseless, brutal and unforgivable.
# 293:
1:11 pm PDT, Jul 31,
Andi Alnwick, New York
# 292:
11:00 pm PDT, Jul 30,
Nicholle Doll, California
# 291:
3:53 pm PDT, Jul 30,
DC Bass, California
# 290:
4:31 pm PDT, Jul 28,
Stephanie McCombie, Canada
I appreciate that shark fin soup is an important part of traditional Chinese cuisine. However, research shows that if the demands for shark fins do not decrease, all the sharks in the world will die off in decades. It will cause substantial damage to marine ecosystems. It takes sharks many years (some up to 30 years) to mature, but 3 sharks are killed every second to meet the demands for shark fin soup. Many have become endangered species. PLease stop the sale of shark fins in Canada!!!!
I appreciate that shark fin soup is an important part of traditional Chinese cuisine. However, research shows that if the demands for shark fins do not decrease, all the sharks in the world will die off in decades. It will cause substantial damage to marine ecosystems. It takes sharks many years (some up to 30 years) to mature, but 3 sharks are killed every second to meet the demands for shark fin soup. Many have become endangered species. PLease stop the sale of shark fins in Canada!!!!
# 289:
6:46 am PDT, Jul 24,
Igor Purlantov, New York
# 288:
11:21 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Rosemary Muter, Canada
I am deeply saddened that we are killing everything to no end and for no means.
I am deeply saddened that we are killing everything to no end and for no means.
# 287:
8:50 pm PDT, Jul 23,
Taraneh Sodoma, Washington
# 286:
9:45 am PDT, Jul 23,
Cindy Findlater, Canada
Stop th slaughter of sharks. Humans need to learn from past mistakes regarding extinction of species (Whales, turtles, tigers, bears...the list goes on)
Stop th slaughter of sharks. Humans need to learn from past mistakes regarding extinction of species (Whales, turtles, tigers, bears...the list goes on)
# 285:
6:27 pm PDT, Jul 19,
Sabrina Collodi, Florida
# 284:
9:24 pm PDT, Jul 18,
Krista Stubbs, Canada
I cant believe this is happening!! we need to spread the word and stop this from happening!
I cant believe this is happening!! we need to spread the word and stop this from happening!
# 283:
3:53 pm PDT, Jul 18,
Tamara Wilson, Canada
# 282:
11:05 pm PDT, Jul 15,
Marc Tallentire, Canada
# 281:
7:41 am PDT, Jul 15,
Alicia Campbell, California
# 280:
1:53 pm PDT, Jul 14,
Mick Cave, United Kingdom
# 279:
11:01 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Stacey Jespersen, Canada
# 278:
12:13 pm PDT, Jul 11,
Natalie Goss, Canada
I am shocked that Canada has not already banned shark finning. Who would have thought such a reputable and influential country would allow such barbarous acts? We MUST ban both shark finning and the importation of fins!
I am shocked that Canada has not already banned shark finning. Who would have thought such a reputable and influential country would allow such barbarous acts? We MUST ban both shark finning and the importation of fins!
# 277:
11:07 am PDT, Jul 10,
Laurel Watson, Arizona
# 276:
3:32 pm PDT, Jul 4,
Greta Malkotzoglou, Greece
# 275:
1:20 pm PDT, Jul 1,
Name not displayed, Canada
Please ban all shark finning and sale of shark fins internationally and create protection for sharks. Also there should be UN and international agreements and enforcement of ban of shark finning, stop of overfishing including long lining, dirty fishing, factory ships in all international waters including Antarctica and the Arctic. Thank you.
Please ban all shark finning and sale of shark fins internationally and create protection for sharks. Also there should be UN and international agreements and enforcement of ban of shark finning, stop of overfishing including long lining, dirty fishing, factory ships in all international waters including Antarctica and the Arctic. Thank you.
# 274:
2:35 pm PDT, Jun 26,
Zayra Todd, California
The sale of shark products is an abomination. It is disturbing and sickning to kill an amazing animal just to get their fin and cartiladge for human comsuption. Many sharks are disspearing and fast! This has to stop now, especially in Chinatowns all over the US. If sharks dissapear so will us, this affects us all!!!!
The sale of shark products is an abomination. It is disturbing and sickning to kill an amazing animal just to get their fin and cartiladge for human comsuption. Many sharks are disspearing and fast! This has to stop now, especially in Chinatowns all over the US. If sharks dissapear so will us, this affects us all!!!!
# 273:
3:07 pm PDT, Jun 24,
Adriyana Dimitrova, Bulgaria
# 272:
1:42 pm PDT, Jun 23,
Larissa Silva, United Kingdom
# 271:
7:12 am PDT, Jun 21,
Barbara Willis, Canada
I was unaware of the magnitude of the shark fin industry until I watched the film Sharkwater. Once again I am stunned at the stupidity and inhumanity of mankind. It seems mankind is intent on destroying our planet and leaving nothing behind for future generations. The health of the ocean and the creatures that live there are so important in the cycle of carbon dioxide removal and creation of oxygen on this planet. We destroy the top predators in the ocean and the entire balance is shifted. Is anything worth that much? How can people be so cruel - removing fins from sharks while they are still living and then kicking them back in the ocean just like garbage. How do we fight all the people that are in power and with the money to support this exploitation. I don't know. There is so much of this going on with all our species of animals. How can these people sleep at night. I wish I lived in a world that respected all life and understood that we can't harvest everything. Mankind is completely nuts and they will finally realize this when it is far too late.
I was unaware of the magnitude of the shark fin industry until I watched the film Sharkwater. Once again I am stunned at the stupidity and inhumanity of mankind. It seems mankind is intent on destroying our planet and leaving nothing behind for future generations. The health of the ocean and the creatures that live there are so important in the cycle of carbon dioxide removal and creation of oxygen on this planet. We destroy the top predators in the ocean and the entire balance is shifted. Is anything worth that much? How can people be so cruel - removing fins from sharks while they are still living and then kicking them back in the ocean just like garbage. How do we fight all the people that are in power and with the money to support this exploitation. I don't know. There is so much of this going on with all our species of animals. How can these people sleep at night. I wish I lived in a world that respected all life and understood that we can't harvest everything. Mankind is completely nuts and they will finally realize this when it is far too late.
# 270:
2:25 pm PDT, Jun 15,
Denise Felce, Canada
# 269:
|
11:46 am PDT, Jun 11,
Kelly Abraham, Canada
This country is supposed to be an example of a great way of life, kind people, a first world counrty. And yet it allows slaughter, and an entire species to become endangered. Does the government really want to be seen as brutal, heartless, money grubbing and blind to the dieing planet? Are we really just like those countries we try so hard not to be like? If were letting these sharks die, then yes. |
# 268:
8:56 pm PDT, Jun 10,
Kristin McCord, Texas
# 267:
9:06 am PDT, Jun 10,
R Plejic, Canada
Stop the cruelty.
Stop the cruelty.
# 266:
9:15 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Ken Beller, Arizona
This is a cruel, inhumane, and senseless action and also severely harms the planet we live on. It should be banned immediately for the good of all beings on this planet.
This is a cruel, inhumane, and senseless action and also severely harms the planet we live on. It should be banned immediately for the good of all beings on this planet.
# 265:
9:08 pm PDT, Jun 9,
Name not displayed, Arizona
# 264:
8:19 am PDT, Jun 9,
Lindsay Bourre, Canada
# 263:
5:43 pm PDT, Jun 8,
James Klich II, North Carolina
# 262:
1:37 am PDT, Jun 8,
Rosalind Smith, Canada
# 261:
8:19 pm PDT, Jun 6,
Deanna Bruce, Canada
# 260:
5:33 pm PDT, Jun 6,
Simon Tremblay, Canada
By not doing anything against the shark fin industry you're helping the shark fin mafia from asia and therefore helping crime.
By not doing anything against the shark fin industry you're helping the shark fin mafia from asia and therefore helping crime.
# 259:
7:50 am PDT, Jun 4,
Emilia Piccinini, Canada
# 258:
6:57 am PDT, Jun 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 257:
6:27 am PDT, Jun 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
# 256:
6:21 am PDT, Jun 4,
Name not displayed, Canada
Stop the nonsense.
Stop the nonsense.
# 255:
3:58 pm PDT, Jun 3,
Julie Mckelvey, Canada
If we do not stop this now while we can, soon it will be too late and the impact will be greater than anyone thinks. As a Canadian citizan I am sick that this law has not yet been passed when we know and can see the impact that this is causing. please help stop this barbaric slaughter that is happening right before our eyes. if it were another animal this would not even be an issue. so I am asking you to please please hear our plea, we are not doing this only for sharks but for our selves as a race of people
If we do not stop this now while we can, soon it will be too late and the impact will be greater than anyone thinks. As a Canadian citizan I am sick that this law has not yet been passed when we know and can see the impact that this is causing. please help stop this barbaric slaughter that is happening right before our eyes. if it were another animal this would not even be an issue. so I am asking you to please please hear our plea, we are not doing this only for sharks but for our selves as a race of people
# 254:
11:43 am PDT, Jun 3,
Kelsey Parisien, Canada
This is so gross, I don't understand why someone would kill something just to keep thier fins just to put texture in a soup. Plus I don't get how people could cut off a fin and just leave the shark in that much pain.
This is so gross, I don't understand why someone would kill something just to keep thier fins just to put texture in a soup. Plus I don't get how people could cut off a fin and just leave the shark in that much pain.
# 253:
9:59 am PDT, Jun 3,
Ruggiero Campopiano, Canada
There are no other alternatives: stop the cruelty on shark finning and also immediately stop buying shark fin products.
There are no other alternatives: stop the cruelty on shark finning and also immediately stop buying shark fin products.
# 252:
8:13 am PDT, Jun 3,
Filip Jansky, Canada
The world's population needs to be made aware of the cruelty and savagery inflicted on this majestic and vital fish - the fishing of all sharks needs to be strictly controlled or stopped entirely NOW!!
The world's population needs to be made aware of the cruelty and savagery inflicted on this majestic and vital fish - the fishing of all sharks needs to be strictly controlled or stopped entirely NOW!!
# 251:
6:02 am PDT, Jun 2,
Maria Eggonidis, Canada
