If you are completing a study of the Coral Triangle as part of the Ecosystems and Global Biodiversity topic you may have discussed shark finning. Shark finning is a fascinating example of human modifications to an ecosystem. Sharks are apex predators which remove sick and weak organisms and regulate ecosystem functioning. Shark numbers are in decline globally, with some species near extinction. Habitat loss, lack of fish in degraded areas and shark finning are key factors in declining numbers. Tens of thousands of sharks are killed every year. Illegal shark finning brings in 5 million ringgits/yr Demand for shark fins is consumer market driven. Fins are harvested in huge numbers and dried for sale. They are sold in local fish markets across South East Asia. There is huge demand in China and Hong Kong and the demand is increasing. Shark fin soup is a Chinese dish that is available all over the world. The dish is a delicacy that was eaten by Emperors, with recipes dating back 2000 years. It is sold in some Chinese restaurants, is expensive to buy and is a symbol of wealth, status and prestige. Shark finning is when a shark is caught, their fins are cut off and then the shark is thrown overboard, often still alive, where it will slowly die. Many of the boats used in shark finning are small and don’t have the room to carry multiple whole shark bodies. Sometimes instead of throwing the carcass overboard, the body will be cut up and used as bait to catch other sharks. Shark poaching tends to be indiscriminate, with large sharks caught as well as very young sharks that haven’t had the opportunity to reproduce. Little attention is given to the species of shark captured, meaning that threatened and endangered species are often caught. The huge demand for shark fins from China is encouraging Bajau Laut to engage in this practice. The prevalence of finning is largely a product of poverty. The funds made from the fins of just one shark is enough money to feed a Bajau family for weeks. The pressure of limited fish stocks, and reef destruction make this practice appealing as a way to provide basic provisions for a family. Watch this Youtube clip about Shark finning. ACTIVITIES 1. Describe the significance of sharks in coral reef ecosystems. 2. Describe the cultural and historical significance of shark fin as a food, and how it is linked to social standing in contemporary times. 3. Explain how the rising middle class and rising incomes in China increases risk to coral reefs in the Coral Triangle through finning and the live fish trade. 4. Explain how poverty in coastal communities in the Coral Triangle, contributes to the difficulties in managing shark finning.
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AuthorsLorraine Chaffer Categories
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June 2024
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