Sunday 29 January 2012

Shark Finning

A brutalised body falls to the depths of the ocean where it awaits an agonising death that may take days in the form of starvation, drowning or even eaten alive. A creature known for its power and its aptitude for survival slips into the darkness a pathetic, handicapped wreck, once driven by instinct and confidence, now only knows pain and suffering. This is the fate of tens of millions of sharks slaughtered for their fins for an Asian 'delicacy' known as shark fin soup. The practice of shark finning is typically performed by first hooking the shark through the jaw or eye, dragging them on land or boat, slicing the pectoral and dorsal fins and tail while the shark is alive and then tossing the poor animal back into the ocean where it can only drift down to the seafloor and hope for a quick end.


Pause for a second. Now I know humans find it hard to sympathise with these supposed bloodthirsty, ferocious predators due to prejudice, horror stories of attacks on surfers and Steven Spielberg's 'Jaws' which depicts a murderous, evil fish hell-bent on eating everything and anything. Now rewind. These animals evolved 400 million years ago, a good 200 million years before the first forms of mammal arrived on the planet. They have evolved so well as apex predators and over time have well and truly established themselves as a main brick in the ecological house that is the ocean. Remove this keystone foundation and the whole ecosystem will fall. They feed on sick and dying fish maintaining healthy populations and in turn improve water quality. They do not attack humans intentionally and out of some violent rage, many encounters of sharks and humans are due to the former confusing swimmers with seals. Across the globe there are on average 12 attacks by sharks on humans a year, but you can guarantee all these incidences will be reported on and made into some horror story by the media, feeding the publics' distaste for this animal.

Ironically, it should be reported how many humans kill sharks - 3 sharks die a second at the hands of Homo sapiens - now that is a true horror story. 55% of all shark species are at serious risk of becoming extinct in the near future. As I mentioned before they are crucial to the way of life in marine ecosystems. Along the US east coast where large sharks such as the tiger shark and black tip shark have been virtually eliminated, surveys show that shellfish populations have dramatically declined and the overall quality of the water is exceptionally poor.

Fishermen have also acknowledged that sharks are getting smaller. This is due to excessive overhunting not allowing for sharks to mature. Decimated shark populations do not recover over night - many species do not sexually mature until 6 or 7 years of age and females typically give birth to only one or two pups annually. If some species are driven to near extinction before we stop this cruel practice, they may not be able to ever recover. And with some populations decreased by 90% this devastating fact may be true of some well known and much respected shark species. We must act NOW.

I watched a video about shark finning entitled, 'Sharks Don't Cry'. Well, I cried plenty for them. It's horrific. It's unnecessary evil. These animals must endure so much pain and so much anguish all for a bowl of tasteless soup that is usually made with chicken or vegetable stock to add a flavour. The fins are used only for texture.

Is it hypocritical to protest for a ban on shark finning when we slaughter so many animals such as cows, chicken and sheep? Even though I do not agree with the way farm animals are transported to slaughterhouses and methods used to kill them, they are far more humane than being finned alive and tossed back into the sea. Could you imagine the outcry if lambs and cows had their limbs cut off and left to bleed out in fields? This is exactly what is happening to sharks!! Sharks are not farmed animals, they are not bred for consumption - we are relying on natural populations to fuel the desire for shark fin soup. Also, with many species of shark endangered a ban needs to proceed to protect their survival for future generations. They banned the import and export of ivory to protect elephants and rhinoceros - we need this protection for sharks. I'm not naive - I know ivory is till sold through black markets, but even if fish fins continued to sell this way after a ban was put in place, there would still be a lot less sharks slaughtered than without it.

Many argue shark fin soup is part of Chinese culture. I'm sorry, but I just don't believe in those arguments. If tradition is so important why have others been banned such as foot binding? Surely if that argument had to stand, every tradition would still be upheld? And as a tradition, only the very wealthy consumed bowls of shark fin soup. Comparatively, a few million people could afford to eat the soup in the 1980s, but as China becomes richer, up to 300 million people now choose to eat it on a regular basis. Additionally, many who argure that it is a national tradition do not care about the conservation status of sharks - surely if it was such an important part of Chinese culture the protection of shark populations would be impertinent in order to sustain shark fin soup for generations to come?

Another weak argument for the justification of shark fin soup is that it is good for you. That must be why doctors strongly advise pregnant woman and children not to consume the soup due to the high contents of mercury found in sharks and other marine life. Also the fins are treated with hydrogen peroxide in order to produce a more appealing colour before added to the 'delicacy'. Mmm, sounds yummy!!

Much to my dismay, I discovered that a Chinese restaurant near where I live sells shark fin soup - Ho Wong restaurant found at 82 York Street, Glasgow. I know that many people are not aware of the practice of shark finning and my plan is to email the restaurant with some information about this and to ask if they would consider removing this dish from their menu. One voice may not be loud enough to portray the importance of this message and I would be so appreciative if others could do the same. Maybe together we can stop Glasgow from participating in the cruel slaughter of sharks. Please send a polite email on your opinions of shark fin soup to info@howong.co.uk

This is the video I mentioned previously Sharks Don't Cry. Please, please let's work together and stop shark finning.



Heatherbelle

Saturday 14 January 2012

Badgers, Rhinos and Killer Whales - oh my!

I can't believe it's been over a month since my last blog! There has been so many things to write about, so many things I have been angry over or inspired by! Perhaps a topic which has evoked such emotions is one which I read about in my trusty copy of Wildlife magazine. It wasn't until recently, whilst flicking through the latest issue of BBC Wildlife magazine, that I came across an article so disturbing in content, I doubted the reality of it. Then, reluctantly considering other disguting wildlife crimes that have been reported, I depressingly conceded that there must be some truth to the story. The article was about raising awareness of badger baiting or 'lamping'. This horrific act involves some seriously disturbed individuals releasing dogs on wild badgers. The breeds of dogs often involved in trapping badgers are terriers and dachshunds, but modern day offenders are also turning to bull lurchers, a cross between the lurcher and the illegal pit bull. The dogs are used to bait the badger and with an explosion of teeth, power and claws the animals are pitted against one another. This blood sport usually results in the badgers death - a horrific and painful death where the animal is ragged by typically two dogs, built for both speed and ferocity, and working in unison. However, fully grown badgers are powerful mammals and can weigh up to 35 pounds and so many dogs involved in badger baiting often have serious scarring around their faces and necks, injuries grave enough where many have to be euthanised or serious medical treatment needs to be administered. Many dog owners however will not risk exposure and take them to  veterinary clinics - many try to treat their dogs themselves to avoid suspicious vets.
The way these dogs are trained to attack badgers is an act which is as sick as badger baiting itself. Some people (and I use that term loosely) use badger cubs. These brutes stand on defenseless young cubs, effectively immobilising them, and let their dogs tear them to pieces. Is it just me or are these primitive, inferior excrements a danger to society? Is it too far to say they should be sent to a mental institution? If they can do this to animals how much of a stretch is it that they can harm other human beings? My brain just cannot process what enjoyment it is they feel seeing the pain, suffering and fear of an animal doomed to die in such a barbaric way.

Fortunately, badger crimes are being brought to light and those involved are being dealt with accordingly through the efforts of a unique partnership called Operation Meles and the police. Operation Meles (named after the Eurasian Badger binomial name - Meles meles) involves wildlife crime officers, local badger groups and national organisations i.e. RSPCA.

With badger baiting becoming common in places such as Glasgow (near where I live) I thought it best to write about what the public can look out for and what they can do to help save one of Britains most iconic wildlife species. People who dig badgers can be violent and often have criminal connections, so first and foremost do NOT approach people you suspect of badger baiting. Do, however, get descriptions of the people and dogs you see and write down vehicle registration numbers. Groups of men, with shovels and dogs, walking through areas of woodland are people who could be involved in this blood sport and badger setts which have been obviously disturbed should be reported, along with any dead badgers found which have injuries obtained by dogs. To damage or destroy sett entrances or tunnels is illegal without a licence. Report any suspicious activity to your local police station or the RSPCA (0300 1234 999) or SSPCA (03000 999 999). Please follow @ScottishSPCA or go here to find out more about badger baiting.

Lets work together to stop badger baiting and get justice for our British wildlife.


With the Javan rhino now recently announced extinct in Vietnam and with only 50 individuals left in the wild I thought I could maybe post a little paragraph on the rhinoceros, more specifically the Black rhino. There are less than 5,400 of these animals left and yet still many are threatened by poachers due to their impressive ivory horns. Deforestation also plays an important role in the rhinoceros depleting populations and charities such as WWF are desperately urging the public to get involved. You can adopt one of these beautiful animals here or why not watch this two minute conservation video about them: Black Rhino Video

Before I end this blog, I would greatly appreciate if you could take a minute of your time to sign this petition. It's a petition to save the killer whale, Morgan. 5 year old orca, Morgan, is ready to return to the wild. Marine biologists have matched her calls to her family pod and have a sophisticated rehabilitation and release plan in place for the female orca, who was found immaciated and ill off the coast of Holland in 2010. But Morgan is being held captive in an amusement park in Tenerife. In captivity, orcas have significantly reduced survival rates, and increased stress levels can cause serious illness and even death. The Free Morgan Foundation says there is a serious risk to the health and welfare of Morgan if she is kept in the park. If you want to help save Morgan the orca, join the campaign and demand that Loro Parque release her. 

Thanks. :)

"All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." Edmund Burke