Realm of the Shark

Sharks inhabit almost every marine ecosystem on Earth. Modern fisheries continue to exploit a wide variety of sharks, from small dogfish to large whale sharks, from coastal to pelagic, and from tropical to temperate seas. There is now strong evidence that many shark fisheries are over-exploiting their resources. Because of their small litter size and slow rate of reproduction, sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing.

The sharks are losing disastrously, and we are jeopardizing world populations of top predators that are essential to the health of marine communities.

Shark fin Products

A costly delicacy - While most sharks caught in the New Zealand fisheries are taken for their meat, some are taken for their fins alone, which command high prices for shark fin soup. But the cost to the shark is its life.

All of the four main fins on a shark - pectoral, dorsal, anal and tail - are used for soup making. The fins are cut from the shark, trimmed to remove any flesh, and dried. Much of the dried product is exported to overseas markets and contributes to the ongoing worldwide demand.

New Zealand and Shark finning

Finning live sharks is illegal in New Zealand under the Animal Welfare Act, however it is legal to fin a dead shark. This finning usually takes place out at sea where the less valuable carcass can be discarded. It has been reported that illegal finning of live sharks is occuring in New Zealand waters (see the video above).

Show your support by signing this petition to: Stop shark finning in New Zealand waters and ban the trade of all shark fin products. 

How can society tolerate such greed and waste?

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