Fierce is probably the most common word used to describe sharks. Dangerous and scary are likely to follow, however these adjectives could not be further from the truth. In reality sharks are intelligent, gentle, and friendly creatures that prey on fish for survival. The great misconception that they are vicious creatures wanting to devour humans’ whole was devised from the classic 1975 movie, Jaws, which not only established this notion, but has fuelled its ongoing trend.
The Marine Conservation Group Oceana estimates up to 73 million sharks are killed each year, primarily for their fins. The mistreatment of sharks has caused the greatest decline – near extinction – of our oldest living mammal.Shark finning is the painful act of cutting a shark’s fin off and discarding the remainder of the body into the water. The shark is usually still alive as it is tossed back into the water and unable to swim. It must then endure a slow and painful death as it sinks toward the bottom. The sharks are tossed back to sea to cut costs as it is very expensive to maintain and transport the bulky body. There is simply minimal demand for shark meat.
Sharks have been around for over 450 million years and are responsible for maintaining order in the ocean. An ocean without sharks’ results in a world deprived of oxygen, as sharks prey on species that are responsible for the controlled amount of algae in the ocean. Algae are an essential aspect of our ecological system, providing humans with sufficient oxygen for survival. The absence of sharks creates an excess in some species, resulting in a vast decline of algae and oxygen which will lead to the end of human kind.
Councillor Glenn De Baeremaeker, Ward 38, recognizes this cause and has taken a strong stance against the cruel treatment of sharks and the increasing demand for shark fins. For the past few months he has been all over Toronto advocating for the ban on the sale or consumption of shark fin in Toronto. He has fought city council on this matter and is continuing to fight for it. On October 13 2011, Councillor DeBaeremaeker and many Torontonians’ will fight to ensure the safety of our sharks. In light of Mississauga’s recent ban on shark fins’, Councillor De Baeremaeker is hopeful Toronto will soon follow.
Want to put an end to shark finning in Toronto? Go FIN FREE and sign the petition at:
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