Tell Congress: Ban Shark Finning
- al: Oceana
- destinatario: U.S. House of Representatives
Sharks are important to the health of the oceans, yet humans kill more than 100 million sharks each year. And it's already having dire impacts on the rest of the ocean. The removal of sharks from the ecosystem affects the species below them on the food chain in unpredictable ways, even altering coral reefs and sea grass beds.
That's why it's so important for Congress to pass the Shark Conservation Act, which would protect these important creatures and the entire ocean ecosystem. The Shark Conservation Act would require sharks caught in all U.S. waters to be landed whole with their fins attached. Under current law, fins and carcasses are only required to be landed in a specific ratio.
Urge your representative to help ensure fast passage of this important piece of legislation for the health of our world's oceans!
Dear Representative [Name],
Sharks are important to the health of the oceans, yet humans kill more than 100 million sharks each year. As top predators they are responsible for maintaining population sizes of other species. The loss of shark populations is already having dire impacts on the rest of the ocean. The removal of sharks from the ecosystem affects the species below them on the food chain in unpredictable ways, even altering coral reefs and sea grass beds.
Congresswoman Bordallo introduced the Shark Conservation Act (H.R. 81) to help preserve the world's sharks. This bill would require that sharks be landed whole with the fins still attached to the bodies. This practice will make it easier to enforce the shark finning ban and allow for better data collection for use in stock assessments and quota monitoring, since it will be easier to identify species.
In addition, the bill will allow the United States to take action against countries that do not have shark finning requirements consistent with those in the U.S.
[Your comment here]
Sharks are in trouble and we cannot afford to lose such a vital part of the world's oceans. The United States has an opportunity to be a strong global leader in shark conservation. Please support efforts to strengthen protections for sharks and vote for H.R. 81, the Shark Conservation Act.
