As someone who grew up watching Jaws I, II and III, I understand what it means to be terrified of sharks. In fact, I was always afraid to go too far into the ocean because I feared that an aggressive shark would find his next meal in my leg or torso. Movies like "Deep Water" also didn't help - after that one, I wouldn't get into the ocean for weeks. It wasn't until we became friends with Neil and Caroline that I began to understand what amazing animals sharks are and that there is nothing to fear about them. If anything, they need our help.
Sharks have no hands and, therefore, must play out their curiosity with their teeth. This is why the shark bites that do result in death are almost always a result of blood loss - the shark samples and realizes that the human isn't a tasty fish and swims away. They have no interest in humans as food ... no foaming at the mouth at the site of a lonely swimmer at the surface of the water ... these have all been the effective dramatizations of Hollywood to provide the ultimate thrill at the cinema. These poor animals have been terribly misrepresented! More people die each year from falling coconuts or being crushed by vending machines. I'm serious!
Last night Neil and Caroline invited us over for an amazing dinner and great conversation. After dinner and Ben's famous coconut cake, we got into an intense discussion about sharks. I always enjoy listening to them because they know so much - they are both Marine Biologists and have a million fascinating facts to share. It is because of them that I am no longer afraid of sharks, but concerned for them ... and I hope that each of you read below to understand what it happening every day to these beautiful animals.
Currently, 100 million sharks A YEAR die from a process called "finning." The Chinese have been finning sharks for years in order to make "fish wing soup" which is a staple for the rich and famous. The soup has no taste, no smell and no nutritional value; it is simply a matter of status - if you can afford this soup, you've made it. The process by which they fin these animals is deplorable - they capture the shark and, while it's still alive, cut off its fins and then re-release it into the ocean (still alive) where it can survive up to 2 days before suffocating to death. It's an inhumane and disgraceful way to treat these animals, and all for the sake of a bowl of soup which isn't solving world hunger or providing any nutrition.
I encourage all of you to check out the new film "Shark Water" and also visit: http://savetheblue.org/ and/or http://neil4sharks.org/. Please educate yourselves on this - it's not only happening overseas, many Asian restaurants in the United States serve this soup in order to attract a high-rolling clientele. Neil and Caroline have already been part of the effort to have this soup officially removed from international flights to China and Hong Kong's Walt Disney World Resort. We can make a difference!
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