I know shark finning has been a big topic of discussion over the last few years... it's big problem, especially as we see these species essentially becoming extinct as a result of it. I still haven't seen it (haven't been able to find it in Indonesia!), but I know the documentary film Shark Water refocussed attention on this issue a couple years ago again. So why still only discussion? I guess too much money at stake.
It is sickening to me to see:
Illegal poaching of shark fins in Raja Ampat - an area supposedly declared for shark protection (or at least no shark fishing at ALL) just two years ago...
... and shops like this in open operation in the middle of the international airport in Jakarta (on my last transit there)!
The price tag on this fin was 1000 USD!
In a recent discussion about the issue Martin and I were lamenting that the only real way to put a dint in the problem is to work on targeting the market, because let's be honest, if the demand is there, the poor fishermen have little choice but to provide for the market... So a hard-core education program/campaign is needed in places like Hong Kong, Singeapore, and other major Asian shark-fin consuming nations. Well, I see just today that Shark Savers are doing just that with their campaign "Pledge to not eat Shark Fin Soup" - kudos!
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