Sharks are the apex predators of the sea, but often fall prey to humans for their fins. It is estimated that almost 100 million sharks are killed each year for shark fin soup, a delicacy in Asian cultures. And the food product is becoming even more readily available. But, this is a sad fate for a shark. Usually, sharks are pulled from the water where there fins are sawed off by fisherman and then they are cast back into the ocean. Because they no longer have fins, they are unable to swim, so they die from drowning or from bleeding to death.
photo: seapics.com
The Defenders of Wildlife nonprofit organization is working with government agencies, both national and international, to try to protect these majestic creatures. According to the Defenders website,”The International Union for Conservation of Nature has estimated that 32 percent of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction.” And states such as Illinois, Washington, Hawaii, Guam, California and Oregon, as well as the city of Toronto, Canada have passed legislation to ban the practice and New York City is also considering a similar measure. Click here to learn more about this cause and how you can help.
