Purpose and Intent

According to recent data, 73 million sharks are being caught and harvested annually both legally and illegally for their prized parts. One of the most treasured body parts of a shark is their fin, which is a status symbol and traditional delicacy in Asian cultures, especially for the people of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. The increasing demand for this luxury dish could have have drastic and dire consequences for the survival of many shark species around the world. Contrary to the longstanding tradition of eating shark fin soup, a new environmentally conscious generation of people all around the world have raised the need to prevent illegal poaching of sharks, especially for the singular purpose of extracting a sole fin. As a result, recent bans have been implemented around the world starting in 2011 and continuing thorough 2012. 

The purpose of blog is to address this complicated issue by exploring it thorough multiple perspectives: social, biological, environmental, cultural, etc. Ultimately, I want shark species to flourish while coexisting with the darn homosapiens but there are many other issues to ponder and hurdles to jump. Is it acceptable to condemn the traditions and values of a culture in our quest to preserve shark populations, and if so, in what ways? Can these newly enacted bans really have any control over illegal fishing or will it just encourage more poaching? Is sustainable shark harvesting possible? 

Of course, I won't attempt to answer all of these questions, or even have a solid concrete answer for any of them. The important point is to raise awareness for this growing problem and hopefully encourage more people, just like YOU, to continue in the struggle to prevent sharks from extinction. 

He is happy you came.