Support U.S. Legislation to Stop Shark Finning

Abbo

I regret that you have a point. Shark populations appear to have suffered considerably in recent years - 80-90% according to some numbers. Unfortunately, the finding of the Coelacanth, and enormous sharks like megamouth, and giant squid show that we have very little idea what is in the sea, never mind what their populations are. It is not clear what is the cause of falling shark populations: it appears that the main cause is their being caught accidentally by the more sophisticated fishing nations (such as the US). Instead of the corpses being discarded by fishermen because they're not allowed to catch them, it might make more sense to allow them to be brought in to sell, as this would obviate the need for other people to go out and catch them on purpose.

The greatest enemy of rare species, of course, is capitalism: the rarer they get, the higher the price gets, paying more people to go out and catch them. A more efficient solution is to drive the price down so that it is no longer viable to catch them on purpose.

mempilot

You quote yourself with Japan all the time, so where you were born and what culture you live in are two different things. That's fine, but then don't compare Japan to the US if you don't want to defend Japan.

My comments were about Japan, not you.

Again, I criticised Japan, not you. It looked as if you were defending Japan. Sorry if it came across as a criticism of you.

The problem I think that a lot of people have is the finning and dropping of the body back to the sea. If they aren't endangered, and the whole fish is used, then I don't see any waste in it. I'm more concerned with the finning and returning a live but wounded shark back to the ocean to die. The same as cutting the throats of the dolphins while they are alive so they will bleed out on the dock. Both are inhumane.

I'm sorry if it came across as a criticism of you. I'm disgusted with Japan's methods, not the end. I don't care if people eat dolphin or shark if they aren't endangered. I eat horse when I'm in Mongolia or Azerbaijan. It's the callous way the animal is 'offed' is what gets me.

__________________
Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

mempilot

LOL! Not really. I'm a member of PETA, but it's not the PETA you are thinking of. I'm a member of People Eating Tasty Animals. But, I'll put a .30 through it's melon before there is any carving going on. I don't see the need to be cruel. I do believe in karma. I wonder how many shark finners have died at the mouth of jaws? Actually, probably none. Oh well.

__________________
Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

Abbo

We seem to be broadly in agreement about shark fins.
You appear to have some issues with Japan: that's sad. It's a great place: you should visit sometime.
As far as I recall I merely mentioned that I have shark with sake in Japan: you should try it - it tastes good. I can't think of any other time in this thread when I brought up Japan. I certainly didn't make any US-Japan comparisons.
I think what you have on your mind is the film of fishermen killing dolphins. I saw film of an American shooting up a high school: it didn't make me think that all Americans shoot up high schools regularly. America's a place not a religion: ease up and pour yourself a cold beer. No point bursting a blood vessel about a Discovery Channel documentary.

mempilot

Yes.

Only the whaling/fishing industry there. I have been there.

I don't have a problem with the Japanese people in general. I enjoy them. It's the country's marine practices that are deployable to me.

Two confused boys shooting up a high school is a statistical outlyer. A country that condones this type of whaling/fishing practices is not.

I'm about as easy going as it gets. I see stuff all over the world that would make most people cry. I'll guarrentee I've been to more countries on more continents than anyone here. 51 countries on 5 continents in 2 years. I'd say I'm traveled.

__________________
Eric Stadtmueller, otherwise known as, MEM "Da Pilot"

Chett.L

Please go to ScubaDadMiami’s Original Post:









I am urging you to support, HR 5741, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008.
Each year, humans kill more than 100 million sharks worldwide. Sharks are highly vulnerable to pressure from human activities because of their slow growth and low reproductive potential.
Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year for their fins alone. Congress passed the Shark Finning Prohibition Act in 2000 to end shark finning in U.S. waters. However, a recent court decision revealed a loophole in the Act, and HR 5741, seeks to close this loophole and improve shark conservation and management.
The Shark Conservation Act of 2008 reinforces current law to require all shark fins to be landed with their corresponding carcasses. In addition, it allows the U.S. to take actions against countries that do not have shark protection laws similar to the United States.
HR 5741, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008, would improve shark fishery management and promote shark conservation in U.S. waters and beyond. Please support this important legislation by cosponsoring the Shark Conservation Act of 2008 and by voting yes to enact this bill into law.
Thank you,

__________________
Chett. L

Abbo

Dolphins: Japan does not condone slitting the throat of dolphins as shown in the documentary: those practices are illegal. The dolphins are killed by driving a pin into their brains, which is reasonably humane. The dolphins are eaten, not wasted. Dolphins are such beautiful creatures it pains me to see them killed, but I understand the fishermen who tell me that dolphins destroy their livelihood. The cull happens in Futo, which is not far from Tokyo: a quick bullet train to Atami then down to Futo. The happen in October, when the dolphins and whales come past and sweep the sea clear of fish. If the killings trouble you, come to Japan in October. If you dive from Futo you will be leaving from the quay next to the fishermen's buildings - on the fishermen's boats. Come keep and eye on them and keep them honest. Traditionally, the Japanese have not been eaters of 4-legged animals and consider the killing of them savage, in the same way you find the killing of dolphins shocking. Different cultures: not better or worse.

Sharks: The sharks that are endangered are not endangered by finning, but by loss of prey. They are mainly the very large sharks that are not caught. Though clearly there are cases of sharks being finned and the still-living animal being thrown back in the water, this appears to be relatively uncommon - if only because it's safer to take the fins off dead animals than live ones. If I thought finning was endangering sharks I would stop eating shark, but at the moment the evidence is not compelling. Cod are another matter entirely.

barney

The latter half of your statement is correct. For all the PR Costa Rica gets regardging being an environmentally friendly country, in many cases its complete BS. They do have a mechanism to enforce shark finning to some degree, as these vessels dock in ports, some in *VERY* close proximity to CR Coast Guard and fishery management offices.

This legislation will compel some countries to address the situation (possibly just result in window dressing), but, unfortunately, likely won't influence some of the larger players in the finning game.

In any case, the bill in question was approved (as amended) by the House, and it was submitted to the Senate on July 9 for consideration.

Cheers,
Mike

__________________
Michael C. Barnette
ASSOCIATION OF UNDERWATER EXPLORERS