New Japan mission to hunt minke whales

Posted on April 27, 2009 by bansharkfinning
One of the many that are at risk of being slaughtered

One of the many Minke Whales that are at risk of being slaughtered

Repeat with me here: You MUST be kidding?!

So let’s just sort through the BS the Japanese government is attempting to feed journalists here. First, they want to conduct “lethal research” on Minke Whales (around 60 being killed up to 80 kilometers off of the coast) because the ecosystems in the Pacific are SOOO much more different that the ecosystems in Antarctica … yet they send out a fleet of ships for 100 days to hopefully bag around 700-800 Minke Whales in Antarctica. Redundant much?? Thank god for the Sea Shepard Conservation Society for cutting this killing spree short, roughly 16 days short.

Now, research is all well and good except that the fisheries who host these research expeditions (yes, that’s right, fisheries fund the slaughtering not scientific research companies) and “makes no secret of the fact that the animals’ meat is then served as food.” This loophole in the 1986 international moratorium on commercial whaling is considered acceptable. Something needs to be done about this “loop hole.” This is more like a gaping black hole than a loop hole. This does a complete and total disservice to these peaceful creatures that are a major staple to the oceans ecosystems.

Considering such a loophole exists aren’t there ethics issues to be considered? Isn’t it a requirement that the research subjects be disposed of in a respectful manner? I’m sorry but ending up as poop does not constitute ethical disposal.

Say no to hunting minke whales!!

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“…when sharks die, the oceans die.”

Posted on April 20, 2009 by bansharkfinning

“More than 3,800 sharks were caught every 20 minutes to meet global demand for shark fin, pushing many shark species towards extinction.” -Louis Ng, Founder of Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES)

A rally in Singapore opened to help decrease the demand for shark fins as well as spread the word that it is putting many species of sharks on the edge of extinction. The demand for shark fins has risen in Singapore has reason due to a growing economy. Luckily, not all of the younger generation in Singapore isn’t buying into it. Many couple who are getting married or hosting banquets are forgoing shark fin soup despite outcry from parents and guests.

The impact of overfishing for shark fins is blatant in the ecosystems of the oceans around the world. Species of fish are failing to thrive because of the mass requirement for shark fins and it will continue to be detrimental unless advocates of sharks speak up.

When visiting a restaurant that serves shark fins just say “I’ll pass” or “No thank you” … Say instead, “I’ll pass on the shark because eating it would only further profit the individuals that take pride in depleting the ocean of it’s foremost predator. Did you know….?”

Saying “Did you know…?” is the best way to get people’s attention … It’s like a trigger in people’s brains that says “HEY! She/He might be saying something cool! Wake up!” Then say something really interesting about sharks and open the window to tell someone about how being a shark advocate is a great way to join the GREEN movement and how our world would benefit from Sharks in the water.

Advocate for sharks because no matter what you are or what you eat you should not have to suffer at the bottom of the ocean (finless) for days, waiting for death because you can’t breath. I don’t know about you, but knowing I saved a life by educating someone else is a pretty cool feeling.

What if someone did this to your most beloved pet? The only difference is that this species is a major player in the oceans' ecosystem

What if someone did this to your most beloved pet? The only difference is that this species is a major player in the oceans' ecosystem

Here’s the article!

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“…it’s their ocean and we just come and play in it…”

Posted on April 16, 2009 by bansharkfinning
Sharks feeding on chum from diving tours

Sharks feeding on chum from diving tours

Now you would think that dive tours would understand the implications of chumming the waters just to watch sharks feed, to allow people to experience a shark feeding frenzy firsthand. That type of business is absolutely ludicrous because it not only puts people who use the area for recreation in danger, it will attract the larger more aggressive cousins of the White Tips and Black Tips as well as Tiger Sharks and it will cause public outcry if the sharks attack a person (on accident, of course) thinking they are chum or bait. After all, how is a shark to tell?

Let’s tackle the first issue here. People that live near the Maunalua Bay area use it to practice various water recreation sports. Several people surf in the area several times a week, canoe, swim and go boating. Like one of the individuals point out, “How many of us have gone out in boats and jumped into the water to cool off? Sharks won’t be able to distinguish the difference.” It’s not that sharks are stupid by any means, it’s just that when something (or someone) crashes into the water the sharks won’t be able to distinguish a difference thus putting scuba divers and swimmers in major danger.

The second issue here is that larger, much more aggressive predators will be attracted to the area. Sharks can smell one particle of blood in 1 million particles of water (that’s one drop of blood in 25 gallons of water). Once a shark comes across a scent they follow a scent trail until they theoretically find the source. Let’s say, hypothetically, one of these shark tours does put chum in the water to lure sharks, a large, aggressive shark follows the scent right into a popular surfing/scuba diving/ swimming area. A person is attacked (accidentally) because they are mixed in among the scent. Whose fault is it? Naturally, everyone will point to the species which cannot defend itself and did the “attacking,” the shark.

As you can tell chumming water to lure sharks is totally irresponsible and should, if possible, be stopped. Not only will it keep sharks safe, it will keep people in the water safe as well. Do you want to be attacked by a shark who associates you with chum? I know I wouldn’t 🙂

Curious about the source of all of this? Here’s the article.

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