Great Hammerhead (Mary O'Malley)With Discovery Channel's annual Shark Week in full swing, it's a good time for us all to remember these facts:
• An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, with fins from up to 73 million used for shark fin soup.
• Some shark populations have declined by up to 98% over the past 15 years.
•
Nearly one-third of open-ocean shark species are considered threatened,
according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
•
As apex predators, sharks are vital to maintaining the balance of
marine ecosystems. These animals should be celebrated, not slaughtered.What is WildAid doing to end the shark fin trade?
To measurably raise awareness and concern about the impact of the consumption of shark fin soup on shark populations and marine biodiversity, WildAid works with media network partners in China to broadcast our campaign messages via TV and other media outlets, including video billboards in subway and train stations, airports, and university campuses. We have produced many high-quality TV PSAs on shark fin for China with our celebrity ambassadors Yao Ming and others, including prominent Chinese CEOs. WildAid's latest campaign features several PSAs including sports icon David Beckham, actor/director Jiang Wen and actress Maggie Q.
The good news: Consumer eduaction works. Our campaigns, in combination with government bans at official events, have contributed to a reported 50%-70% decrease in China’s shark fin consumption.
Here is a WildAid's PSA on shark fin soup and shark conservation:
• An overview on shark conservation issues:
https://vimeo.com/75818491
Article and images sourced from http://www.wildaid.org/news/shark-week
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