Bloody sharks, red stained water and piles of shark fins. Horrific images circulating around the web showing sharks being slaughtered and finned in a dive tourist destination in Sabah, a Malaysian state located on the island of Borneo, have sparked global outrage.
The unsustainable shark slaughtering and finning is decimating shark populations and hindering economic development. Apart from being ecotourist stars, sharks maintain balanced ecosystems. According to a Shark Stewards press release, data from 2012 by the Australian Institute of Marine Science in Semporna reveals that "one reef shark is worth over 3.3 Million RM ($815,000 US) to the local economy in its lifetime through ecotourism services."
When it comes to the environment and socioeconomics, sharks are worth more alive than dead.
But only change from the top will save this top predator. The sharks in Sabah desperately need more protection and less shark fin trade.
Sign and share this petition if you agree that sharks are worth more alive than dead, and you want the shark slaughter in Sabah to be shut down.
Photo Credit: Allan Lee
