Sharkwater
I just saw the movie Sharkwater last night (as you can see from my new header 
), a beautifully-filmed underwater documentary about the dwindling shark population. Because sharks are feared predators, they don’t insight a compassionate response from conservationists and their funders. People would rather save cuter animals such as panda bears and seals. But, the threat of shark bites is largely exaggerated and it tiny (100 deaths a year out of millions of swimmers) in comparison to the threat of human-created deaths such as illegal drugs and traffic accidents.
Meanwhile, the shark population has diminished by 90% (according to the movie) and it continues to be threatened. The main threat is "shark finning". Shark Fins are an ingredient in the decadent shark fin soup, found in upscale Asian and fusion restaurants. Now, I have had this soup, and the fin does not add much taste – it is more the presentation, texture and the decadence of having such a delicacy. After seeing hunters in the movie cut off the shark fins, then throwing the rest of the shark away into the ocean, I will definitely never eat it again! You can also find shark cartilage in health food stores – it is believed to help joint-pain.
But, those things are not necessities. It is not like people are dying without shark products, but here we are putting our ocean eco-system at risk in order to get them. So, one thing I am doing is writing a letter to the Canadian Prime Minister encouraging him to ban the importation of shark fins to this country.
To: pm@pm.gc.ca <Prime Minister Stephen Harper>
Subject: Shark Fin Importation – Please Ban
Dear Prime Minister Harper,
I am writing to ask you to stop the importation of shark fins, which are not a necessity, into Canada. I recently saw the movie Sharkwater, made by Canadian film maker Rob Stewart. In the movie, he explains that some of earth’s most ancient creatures, older than the dinosaurs, are now threatened – with the population of them diminished by 90%. One of the biggest threats to the population is hunters getting their fins. The main demand for the fins is for the delicacy shark fin soup, found in high-end Asian and fusion cuisine. You can also find shark cartilage supplements in health-food stores.
As you can see, these demands are non-necessities… yet we are threatening the ecological balance of our oceans by pushing its top predator into extinction. So, I think that this is an excellent argument to stop the importation of shark fins into this country. I think Canada making this decision would have a positive impact, since we have a large Asian population here. I think that heightened awareness in this country would make waves back to China, Taiwan and other countries which drive the demand for shark fins.
Also, Stewart is a Canadian film maker and the film has our flag all over it. Banning the importation of shark fins into this country would be a strong endorsement of his cause. People often accuse Canadians of not standing up enough for what we believe in. Now here is our chance.
Respectfully,
Stefanie Sigurdson
Nice letter stef. . do you really think you wil l get a response?
Chretian’s people did when I was writing about the Iraq war. Who knows – it is worth a shot anyway – right? I used to do phone interviews for the Canadian government, and from that I know that less than 4% of Canadians get involved in anything political (officially part of a party, writing letters or even phoning into political talk-shows) so – it is not as if they are deluged with letters. I am also going to write one to the UN.