DiscoveryNetworks has posted the video above to their YouTube Channel. The video focuses on the repercussions of the extinction of sharks as top ocean predators. Researcher Andy DeHart of the National Aquarium points out the impact of the shark finning market on shark popluations but also notes that roughly half of the sharks killed each day as a result of accidental bycatch. DeHart goes on to say that of the roughly 400 species of sharks only 30 species are heavily fished. However, within those thirty species are some of the apex predators which help control stingray and fish populations. DeHart concludes the video discussing how the slow reproductive nature and small number of pups of some shark species also puts them at greater risk for extinction.

The No Shark Fin Pledge discourages the serving and consumption of shark fin products

In a press release from The Humane Society of the United States, it is being reported that renowned chef and author, Alice Waters, has signed The International Humane Society’s No Shark Fin Pledge, which reads…

I pledge to help protect the world’s oceans by committing never to consume or serve shark fin or any product containing shark fin.

This move is an about-face for Waters, who earlier this year was quoted as saying, “I’d have Cecilia Chang make me shark fin soup,” at a Q&A session in Connecticut, during a “Food for Thought” forum, in which she was asked what her last meal would be. What prompted this change of heart? Well, Waters is quoted in the Humane Society Press Release as saying,

“Not long ago I learned that every year tens of millions of sharks, their fins brutally sliced off, are thrown back into the ocean to die, and that many shark species are now seriously threatened. I support Humane Society International’s efforts to end this unsustainable practice, and I encourage other chefs and culinary industry leaders to do the same.”

While Waters has come under fire from some for her “not long ago” revelation, I think it’s only fair to give Ms. Waters the benefit of the doubt here. While certainly she realized that shark fins do not grow on trees, not everybody out there is aware of the practice of finning. I have come across plenty of people who are shocked to find out that sharks are hauled up only to have their fins removed and then have the rest of their body dumped back in the sea. If nothing else, it’s nice to see that Waters has had a change of heart and is encouraging others to steer away from shark fin dishes. Another bit of encouraging news, from the press release, is that “a number of chefs have developed faux shark fin dishes to satisfy consumer demand without the attending ecological devastation.”

News of Alice Waters’ No Shark Fin Pledge also appeared in the New York Times’ Diner’s Journal blog.

Newstead first appeared in the display in London last year…

The display appeared in Paris earlier this month, and the next stop is New York City.

A woman being suspended by hooks from the ceiling of a cosmetics store is certainly a “unique” way to promote shark conservation, to say the least, but it does seem like the display is grabbing the attention of people. Hopefully, that attention will, in turn, lead to an increased awareness about the rapidly declining number of sharks, due to finning and over-fishing.

The editorial addresses the negative impacts of removing sharks as apex-predators from the marine eco-system:

“The species whose numbers the sharks once controlled begin to explode; they then wipe out smaller fish, some of which humans depend on for food. Water quality suffers. Healthy oceans require sharks, and without healthy oceans, healthy fisheries are impossible.”

Seeing editorials like this one appear in major U.S. media sources is encouraging, as it helps to promote awareness of the threat of extinction of many of the oceans sharks species. Hopefully, we will continue to see media coverage that focuses on shark conservation, as opposed to over-sensationalizing shark-related stories.

• touching a bamboo shark
• competing for prizes in Shark Jeopardy
• classroom activities for children involving shark-related crafts and games
• a chance to have your picture taken in the replicated jaws of a huge, prehistoric megalodon
• viewing shark-feeding programs
• talking to Aquarium divers as they swim with sharks in the Live Dive programs

Sand Tiger Shark at NC Aquarium - Pine Knoll Shores (Living Shipwreck exhibit)

Shark conservation and education is not overlooked on the NC Aquarium’s Shark Week website, which points out that, “Most shark bites along East Coast shorelines have been attributed to sharks mistaking swimmers for fish…The human impact on sharks poses another sort of threat. Over-fishing, hunting, pollution and other factors have caused shark numbers to decline worldwide. Many shark species are classified as endangered and all northwest Atlantic shark species have dramatically declined in the past 15 years.”

The NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores (located in Atlantic Beach, NC) is home to sand tiger sharks, nurse sharks, a sandbar shark, and a bonnethead shark.

It’s nice to see the aquarium organizing what appears to be a environmentally-responsible and educational Shark Week. Perhaps, other organizations will wake up to the idea that conservation-minded, educational content can be also be fun and interesting.

The Orlando Sentinel also featured a brief opinion piece on “Getting over Jaws.” The article mentions possible tougher restrictions on killing certain shark species in Florida and also mentions the shark attack survivors lobbying for a ban on finning.

A transcript of the interview portion of the segment can be found at CNN’s AM Fix blog. The interview portion of the segment was well done. Unfortunately, as soon as the attack survivors were off camera, CNN anchor John Roberts started in saying how it was “hard to swallow” that shark attack survivors would be lobbying for the protection of sharks. Robert’s co-anchor, whose name escapes me (Kiran Chentry was not on during the segment) then stated that she doesn’t go in the ocean due to her “unnatural” fear of being attacked by a shark. Roberts then brought up Jaws and how he was afraid to swim even in a lake after seeing the film.

If nothing else, at least another story exposing the finning industry is appearing in the main stream media.

A full press release from the Pew Environmental Group on the subject is available at Pew Brings Survivors to Congress to Seek Protections for Sharks That Attacked Them from PR Newswire.