This week, more than 30 million Americans will tune in to watch Discovery Channel's Shark Week. It's easy to understand why: Sharks are some of the most amazing, powerful animals in the world. But as you sit transfixed by high-definition images of sharks, keep in mind that sharks aren't the scariest predators in the oceans. Humans are.
Tens of millions of sharks are fished from the ocean every year, mainly for their fins. As a result, some shark populations are crashing, which has devastating consequences for ocean ecosystems. For example, some U.S. hammerhead populations have dropped an alarming 98 percent in recent decades. As apex predators, sharks keep the ocean food web in balance.
If you think watching a shark on TV is cool, try looking one in the eye. Over the past few years I've dived with Caribbean reef sharks in the Bahamas, and more recently with whale sharks in Belize, filming public service announcements with Oceana. I'd love to continue diving with sharks -- but at the rate we're going, Shark Week could become the only way to see these beautiful predators.
Back in 2009 I traveled to Capitol Hill to meet with lawmakers about shark protection. Our hard work paid off: In January, the Shark Conservation Act, which Oceana and I were campaigning for, was signed into law. The law ensures a prohibition on shark finning in U.S. waters.
While the U.S. is a leader on shark finning, there's a lot more to be done to protect sharks from extinction. For instance, endangered shark species such as scalloped and great hammerhead sharks are allowed to be caught by U.S. fishermen in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. Take action for sharks -- tell the U.S. government to protect vulnerable shark species such as tiger, hammerhead and thresher sharks.
If even just a fraction of all Shark Week viewers took action to protect sharks, it would equal millions of people speaking up for the ocean's top predators. We shouldn't be scared of sharks, we should be scared for them.
In 2009, actress January Jones joined Oceana's shark campaign. Watch video, see photos and learn more about why January is scared for sharks.
Francesca Koe: Save a Shark: Take a Bite Out of Shark Finning
January Jones and Andrew Sharpless: Let's Keep Sharks Out of Soup
Matt Rand: Shark Week Conservation Roundup (VIDEO, SLIDESHOW)
Shark Week : Discovery Channel
Shark Week Review | TV Reviews and News | EW.com
for speaking out. I hope she will soon visit Asia, and and speak out there...Asian People are just now getting to hear about the horrible practice of finning, and so that;ls encouraging..I just hope it is not too late.
Once the sharks are out of the pictures the whole eco system in the oceans will be in chaos as they are the "cleaners" of our oceans.
A good thing some humans still have a "fearful" respect for them or they would have taken over the waters by now. Although it's not for a lack of trying...
I boycotted my local Chinese because they served shark fin soup, a small gesture, but small gestures go a long way.
Long live the shark!
These days, we release any and every shark we catch. Shark finning makes me ill. I don't have a problem with people eating animals. I have a major problem with waste grotesquely wasteful harvest practices like shark finning. We also refuse to participate in the commercialization and consumption of certain species if there are indications that that species is over-fished (various snapper species, amberjack, bluefin tuna, etc...).
http://media.nola.com/business_impact/photo/overfished-2011-03-31jpg-ad4d26e9efa62df2.jpg
==WE have to get the issue out in Asia, which is where this myth is so prevalent. ==
renegotiated probably-or its environmental clause revised.
. It's going to take a LOT more publicity and probably
boycotting products to make any difference.
I do enjoy Shark Week, but also check out other, less sensational offerings about sharks and marine science. My favorite (still so far)
http://youtu.be/3ENtNt-kb3o
Check out the great shark action shown about half way through the talk (white sharks, Imax filming)
On a personal note, I am enjoying Shark Week, but if I have to watch that Gillette commercial one more time, I may jump in with them.
What is shark finning? I've never heard of this. I was not aware of this issue at all.
We are learning lots and lots about Sharks that will help us become a better species to the earth and to our fellow creatures. Will we listen? Will we do the right thing?
I have my doubts and my fears.
Thanks for your excellent article.
FZLO
== we need to educate Asian men in particular. But its not considered "politically correct" to say that.==