"New York May Ban Shark Fin Sales, Following Other States"
By Elisabeth Rosenthal February 21st, 2012, New York Times
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/nyregion/bill-in-albany-would-ban-sale-of-shark-fins.html
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/22/nyregion/bill-in-albany-would-ban-sale-of-shark-fins.html
Photo: This picture shows all of the fins that have been collected from sharks in order to create the chinese shark fin soup. The inhuman way of gathering these fins involves brutal treatment to millions of sharks yearly.
Summary: New York State Legislators have announced a bill that is going to ban the sale, trading, and possession of shark fins as soon as 2013. Many western states have already passed a bill similar to New York's, but other states such as Florida, Illinois,Virginia, and Maryland have pending bills. It is possible that 73 million sharks are killed per year just for the purpose of obtaining their valuable fins. Some fishermen may even cut off sharks fins, then release them back into the ocean to die. Sharks are now on the brink of extinction, which is taking away the oceans number one predator. Shark fin soup is known as a Chinese banquet dish, it is also very expensive because fins cost anywhere from $100-$500 a pound. Many Asian-Americans are upset that their favorite soup will be lost, but understand that the ban of shark fin possession and trading is for the best.
Reaction: This makes me so upset! I can not actually believe people eat shark fins. I find it very strange since in our culture, we don't eat the same things as the Chinese, but it seems wrong. Especially because many fishermen don't use the rest of the shark because it isn't as valuable as it's fins. It is absolutely disgusting how cruel people can be. I also sympathize with the residents of China town or Chinese rester aunts who thrive off of their sale of the valuable soup. The soup is something their ancestors passed down through generations, and not being able to have that is a shame. What is best for the sharks is to ban shark fin sales, and ultimately I agree, especially because we don't want these predators to go extinct. It could possibly ruin the ocean's ecosystems!
Questions:
1. What would be the consequences to the Ocean if the sharks were to be extinct?
2. Can you think of some other animals that have been pushed to the brink of extinction because humans are killing and consuming too many?
3. Are there any other measurements of precaution that we should take to help the sharks?
4. Do you think that the endangered species act hasn't done enough to protect our endangered and threatened species after reading this article? Explain.
Opinion/Reflection
ReplyDeleteAlthough sharks are not my favorite animal(they scare the pants off me), I still have a soft spot in my heart for marine life, especially any animals that face extinction because of humans. I completely agree with you Dianna, the treatment of these sharks is absolutely disgusting and unacceptable. Knowing that, in certain cases, the sharks will actually be left to die after its fin is used just emphasizes the cruelty of this behavior. If you're going to nearly kill it anyways, you might as well use as much as you can for resources instead of letting it go to waste. However, the best option is obviously to band this behavior altogether. It's inhumane and cruel, even if it is a part of Chinese culture.
"What would be the consequences to the ocean if the sharks were to be extinct?"
Because, as Dianna pointed out, sharks are the oceans biggest predators, the populations of many smaller predators would rise, possibly completely killing off THEIR prey. This, in turn. could cause an entire ecological meltdown, destroying many ecosystems, and seriously endangering others. The shark is essential to the support of life in our oceans, and we should preserve that.
Opinion/ Reflection:
ReplyDeleteWhen I first opened up this blog, saw the picture and read its description, my jaw literally dropped. At first, my mind was like EW but then I read on and realized not only is this gross, but it is cruel. It shocks me that most people probably don’t know about this, yet 73 million sharks are killed yearly because of it. That’s a lot of sharks! I cannot believe they are endangered now. If they every become extinct (hopefully not because some more states will be passing laws) that will really screw up many ecosystems. I mean they are, and always have been, at the top of the food chain!
Are there any other measurements of precaution that we should take to help the sharks?
Definitely. The Endangered Species Act needs to step in, and humans (probably of non- Chinese culture) need to start realizing how wrong this is. We should ban the making of this particular soup anywhere in the United States. If the Chinese want their precious shark-fin soup, they can use their own sharks, or at least find some other way to get the special taste into their soup!
Opinion/Reflection:
ReplyDeleteOkay, when I was reading this I literally got chills up my spine! I never knew people ate shark fins. I understand that for the Chinese culture eating the shark fins is "normal", but how can you just hurt sharks like that. I am personally not the biggest fan of sharks (they are pretty scary) but I do have a heart. How can the fisherman cut off the shark fins and then throw the sharks back in the water without their conscience telling them they are wrong? I bow to those fisherman because I could never do that and consider myself a decent human being, maybe thats because what they are doing is WRONG! I am really happy that bills are starting to be passed because this should not be allowed to continue.
Do you think that the endangered species act hasn't done enough to protect our endangered and threatened species after reading this article? Explain.
Obviously the Endangered Species Act has not done enough!! I think the Endangered Species Act has a great start to helping these threatened and endangered species but there is still so much more that can be done. The bills that are just now being passed should have been passed years ago. As the article said, we are now killing 73 million sharks a year just for their fins! I am sure this number was not always as huge, and we never should have let it get this extreme and out of hand. Its great that something is being done to try and save the sharks, I honestly just hope it is not to late.
Reflection:
ReplyDeleteBefore I even read this article... not gonna lie i got the uncontrolable chills from your picture. Honestly a year is too long to wait for this to be banned. I personally think they should take imediate reaction because sharks are a huge part of the food web. If the sharks are taken out of our very delicate ecosystem who knows what will happen. Also, I think it is gross that people eat shark.. (sorry if whoever is reading this does) I would not be able to consume an animal that I know is endangered and I am not only hurting the shark population, but I would also be hurting so many other fish populations. Putting shark back in the water after torturing them should be illegal. I do not love sharks, they are scary, but I do not support any type of animal crulaty. It is just uncalled for.
Question 1:
If sharks go extinct, I think many fish will over populate. I think sharks eat a lot of viriaty of food and without them consuming all that food, their pray will over populate. Also, it would be more food for other terrtiary consumers which is not good. They can also over populate. There are so many things that can go wrong if sharks go extinct so I think the easiest thing possible would be to make sure we do everything possible to repopulate the sharks.