Promoting responsible shark dive tourism.
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Hi all,
I guess I've been contemplating penning this discussion for some time. It was borne from my personal reaction to the 'Conservation Attenuation' blog post by Jeff Schreiber.
In an ideal world we, I, would love to see all of the proclaimed 'Shark Conservation' Groups, Causes and Individuals get together and form under one movement, maintaining their individual identities etc but working toward one common set of goals. Now there will always be those who adamantly suggest the perfect Utopia would be to see a complete and definitive end to shark fin soup, but in reality is that going to happen?
In the current World we, as a species, are driven by excesses. I see ten year old's with cell phones, hear of kids arguing over their prowess on $600 video game consuls and watch as people die in hospitals because they don't have the right insurances. Many of us don't fully realize the impact a simple action such as a Google Search has on the environment, the amount of CO2 emissions released whilst researching that next shark diving vacation for example would have many an Eco Warrior up in arms. Their fight isn't ours so should we care? Its this incessant need to 'have' that places sharks firmly in the sights of many a fishing fleet.
Giving a working man what was only once ever deemed to be the food of Emperors, making that commodity readily available on supermarket shelves and in run of the mill 'eat all you can' truck stop venues is now manifesting itself in the apparent collapse of shark populations the World over. Its a story that we are in tune with, we hear it so often, we start to get numbed by it.
One question that raises itself in my mind of late is this. If the Emperors of old were alive and with us today, if the families of distinction, the blue bloods of society, if these people who's culinary practices were responsible for casting shark fin soup into the prestigious category it enjoys today. If these people were still here and if they could see how readily available this food item is would it then still retain its standing as a food of distinction? It would be, I guess, similar to the Queen of England, our 'Lizzie', professing her undying love for Walkers Potato Chips, not that there's anything wrong with Walkers. I imagine now that both of these food items enjoy a similar level of availability. Should we therefore suggest that eating shark fin soup is about as noble as eating a packet of potato chips?
So what's the answer? Is there actually one? Many people argue that Shark Fin Soup enjoys deep cultural ties within the Asian cuisine, a fact that I do not bring into disrepute, it is clear and blatantly obvious that this is so. Are we ever, realistically, going to see people stop ordering it at wedding banquets? For the farmer getting married in Urumqi province in NW China, the chances that he will ever see the Ocean let alone know what a shark is are remote. The fact that he would care about the negative impact his menu has on the fragility of the Ocean's health are even more so. Its his day, he will be the Emperor of it!
So rather than trying to get the World to stop shark finning across the board, which is something I believe will never happen, how about aiming, initially, to slow down the trade? When one sees zero movement towards the conservation of certain shark species, a la recent CITIES convention in Qatar, it only serves only to further infuriate those passionate about shark conservation. It leaves zero confidence in bodies set up to safeguard threatened marine species, movements we blindly believe in who then basically dump on those who support it. I can tell you, the concrete wall in my office has a growing and ever worn dent in it from all the recent headbanging.
So what are we fighting for? Personally I hate it, but the shark fin trade will never go away. So long as it is a fishery that generates huge wealth, measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, then its is something that is here to stay. This is irrespective to the amount of noise we divers, scientific, conservation or Ocean loving communities create. The fat cats will just keep getting fatter, the smiles broader and the wallets thicker. Instead I think a realistic effort would be to fight for greater regulation of the shark fishing industry and in doing so reinstating the exclusivity of the dish.
I feel that it is now needed for everyone to get on the same page to work out the best way for this to happen. This is not my fight, its our fight. It sickens me to see and hear daily the facts and figures which continue to spiral out of control. It sickens me the avarice of some people who in the full face of the scientific proof continue to inflict so much damage to our Oceans and the sharks therein. If it sickens you the same, then we need to address this, and now. We need to put our differences aside and create a movement that everyone is happy to be associated with. A movement that fights for the marked reduction and regulation of the shark fishery.
I'd love to get some feedback and ideas on this too. 714 Members, there should be 714 responses.
Cheers,
Mark.
I guess I've been contemplating penning this discussion for some time. It was borne from my personal reaction to the 'Conservation Attenuation' blog post by Jeff Schreiber.
In an ideal world we, I, would love to see all of the proclaimed 'Shark Conservation' Groups, Causes and Individuals get together and form under one movement, maintaining their individual identities etc but working toward one common set of goals. Now there will always be those who adamantly suggest the perfect Utopia would be to see a complete and definitive end to shark fin soup, but in reality is that going to happen?
In the current World we, as a species, are driven by excesses. I see ten year old's with cell phones, hear of kids arguing over their prowess on $600 video game consuls and watch as people die in hospitals because they don't have the right insurances. Many of us don't fully realize the impact a simple action such as a Google Search has on the environment, the amount of CO2 emissions released whilst researching that next shark diving vacation for example would have many an Eco Warrior up in arms. Their fight isn't ours so should we care? Its this incessant need to 'have' that places sharks firmly in the sights of many a fishing fleet.
Giving a working man what was only once ever deemed to be the food of Emperors, making that commodity readily available on supermarket shelves and in run of the mill 'eat all you can' truck stop venues is now manifesting itself in the apparent collapse of shark populations the World over. Its a story that we are in tune with, we hear it so often, we start to get numbed by it.
One question that raises itself in my mind of late is this. If the Emperors of old were alive and with us today, if the families of distinction, the blue bloods of society, if these people who's culinary practices were responsible for casting shark fin soup into the prestigious category it enjoys today. If these people were still here and if they could see how readily available this food item is would it then still retain its standing as a food of distinction? It would be, I guess, similar to the Queen of England, our 'Lizzie', professing her undying love for Walkers Potato Chips, not that there's anything wrong with Walkers. I imagine now that both of these food items enjoy a similar level of availability. Should we therefore suggest that eating shark fin soup is about as noble as eating a packet of potato chips?
So what's the answer? Is there actually one? Many people argue that Shark Fin Soup enjoys deep cultural ties within the Asian cuisine, a fact that I do not bring into disrepute, it is clear and blatantly obvious that this is so. Are we ever, realistically, going to see people stop ordering it at wedding banquets? For the farmer getting married in Urumqi province in NW China, the chances that he will ever see the Ocean let alone know what a shark is are remote. The fact that he would care about the negative impact his menu has on the fragility of the Ocean's health are even more so. Its his day, he will be the Emperor of it!
So rather than trying to get the World to stop shark finning across the board, which is something I believe will never happen, how about aiming, initially, to slow down the trade? When one sees zero movement towards the conservation of certain shark species, a la recent CITIES convention in Qatar, it only serves only to further infuriate those passionate about shark conservation. It leaves zero confidence in bodies set up to safeguard threatened marine species, movements we blindly believe in who then basically dump on those who support it. I can tell you, the concrete wall in my office has a growing and ever worn dent in it from all the recent headbanging.
So what are we fighting for? Personally I hate it, but the shark fin trade will never go away. So long as it is a fishery that generates huge wealth, measured in the hundreds of millions of dollars annually, then its is something that is here to stay. This is irrespective to the amount of noise we divers, scientific, conservation or Ocean loving communities create. The fat cats will just keep getting fatter, the smiles broader and the wallets thicker. Instead I think a realistic effort would be to fight for greater regulation of the shark fishing industry and in doing so reinstating the exclusivity of the dish.
I feel that it is now needed for everyone to get on the same page to work out the best way for this to happen. This is not my fight, its our fight. It sickens me to see and hear daily the facts and figures which continue to spiral out of control. It sickens me the avarice of some people who in the full face of the scientific proof continue to inflict so much damage to our Oceans and the sharks therein. If it sickens you the same, then we need to address this, and now. We need to put our differences aside and create a movement that everyone is happy to be associated with. A movement that fights for the marked reduction and regulation of the shark fishery.
I'd love to get some feedback and ideas on this too. 714 Members, there should be 714 responses.
Cheers,
Mark.
Tags: Fishery, Regulation, Shark Fin Soup
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Katrien Vandevelde on
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If I'm not always accurate in what I'm trying to say, please bare with me, since English is not my native language.
I couldn't agree more. Conservation organisations and likeminded individuals are far too scattered and none of us can really achieve anything like this. If we don't all come together to form one front, I'm afraid that there is not much hope for the future anymore. I realise it's an extremely difficult task. There is the geographical barrier (it's difficult to actively participate in a US campaign when you're living in Hong Kong or promote a flyer or presentation when people in your country/organisation speak an other language). It would also require an enormous amount of organisation and a few good leaders whom can set aside their ego for the cause. And then there's the limited amount of time people with jobs and kids can spend on "voluntary work". But we do have something that works for us though. As divers we share a passion for the oceans and it's inhabitants. Like no one else we feel connected to it and understand it's importance. And we all know that if nothing changes fast, these magnificent places won't exist anymore in only 20-40 years. Your own children won't be able to experience them. Of course, that's not even considering the devastating effects it will have on the entire world..., but we all protect what we love, and therefore we, divers, just might be the (single) ones, most likely to succeed in creating such a movement. I'm your first volunteer Mark!
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Permalink Reply by Kelvin Murray on -
I hear you Mark and agree with Katrien's points - a thousand whispers are louder than the single shout. However bringing people together can be like herding cats, where everyone has their own ideas.
Some time ago, I attempted to bring together a number of organisations whose interests, research and activities covered the same stretch of water and were all committed to protecting the same group of endangered dolphins. The organisations ranged from international charities to universities to local groups. I thought by bringing them together, sharing their ideas, information and strength then collectively they could meet or even surpass their plans for the conservation of the dolphin group. Unfortunately, this plan was quashed by the management of my particular organisation as they were not willing to share their data. One man protecting his science and his own vision of how things ought to be done stopped the others coming together.
The problem, most certainly, is a lack of philanthropy, honour, fraternity and selflessness. I may be cynical, but it seems to take a lot for people to put their differences and egos aside and work together for the greater good. I'm not saying it is impossible and I think you are achieving great success in bringing people from all over the world together, but I also know that you have faced opposition from those you thought may be your allies. I'm guessing the answer is tenacity.
I did some quick sums - if the combined members of MiDive and iDS spent 10 minutes on just one day doing something to support anti-shark finning, it would be the equivalent of 1 dedicated person working solidly for 8 hours a day for 25 days.
A thousand whispers are greater than a single shout.
Ready to whisper,
Kelvin
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