Shark Finning and Sustainable Fishing

There continues to be quite a bit of publicity around the issue of Shark Finning in the news and in the courts.  What is Shark Finning?  Shark fins are by far the most valuable part of a fished shark and are in high demand for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. Shark "finning" refers to the removal of shark fins and the discard at sea of the much less valuable shark carcass. The finless and often still living sharks are thrown back into the sea to save room on board for more valuable species like tuna and swordfish.

According to the Shark Alliance report, "Shark Alert", "the disparity between the exceptionally valuable shark fins and less valuable shark meat creates an economic incentive to take sharks solely for their fins. Shark finning contributes to an extraordinary waste of resources, unsustainable shark mortality and serious decline in shark populations." 

Much of the regulation efforts today are aimed at requiring shark fisheries to bring the entire shark back before finning. Since they have to store the entire shark, the take is less, and fewer sharks are taken per fishing outing.  Other efforts are aimed at effecting the Demand Signal.  Shark Fin soup is the main source of that shark fin demand . Major personalities like Celebrity chef, Gordon Ramsay, have embarked on a personal campaign against the brutal and destructive shark fishing industry and ask restaurants to stop serving shark fin soup.  Click here to catch episodes of Gordon Ramsay’s Shark Bait journey. Of course, the allegations that Ramsay was filmed shark fishing just 18 months earlier probably haven't helped his cause.  Despite his apparent hypocritisism,  the cause is noble.

The key to any of this is for the world to determine and enforce sustainable practices, offer alternatives to peoples where shark finning/fishing is currently their only source of living.  Easier said than done, but complete regulation is unlikely and for some cultures, perfectly acceptable.

Why does Project AWARE support sustainable shark fisheries?


Sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because most grow slowly, mature late and only produce very few young. Indeed, very few shark fisheries are currently well managed and many have ended in the collapse of shark populations and associated industries. However, not all sharks are threatened and in some cases shark meat may be a primary source of nutrition. There is scope for a shared ocean resource, responsibly managed. Project AWARE works towards securing sustainable, science-based conservation policies. Our goal is shark fisheries policies, both nationally and internationally, that heed reputable scientific advice, take a precautionary approach to fishing limits, protect threatened species, implement recovery plans and enforce effective bans on the wasteful practice of finning.

Bottom line from my perspective, Be responsible, Be reasonable and Be Involved.

Reef Friendly Sunscreen...or Not?

Protecting our reefs is of utmost importance, both for the sport of scuba as well as the health of the planet. The coral reefs are under increasing threat for both global warming and the tourists that want to appreciate them.  As it turns out Chemicals in many sunscreens trigger viral infections that result in coral bleaching. Chemical UV barriers are the culprit. But how can a little sunscreen cause so much damage?  Lets do the math. About 78 million tourists visit areas with coral reefs annually. About 25% of the sunscreen they slather on is left behind.  This amounts to about 4-6 thousand tons of sunscreen in the water!  That is alot of sunscreen and you can see that effect can be significant.

What can you do? Since there are no regulations to define what "reef friendly" sunscreen is, be cautious when you see a sunscreen labeled as such. Instead look for sunscreens with plant-based ingredients.  They break down faster.  Also, go with physical UV barriers vice chemical.  Wear that rash guard, and/or use titanium dioxide or zinc oxide. Many rash guards offer great UV protection and leave nothing behind in the water. Also chemical UV barriers are believed to mess with your hormones in many cases. Using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide are better for you in that regard.

So be a friend to the reefs and look for sunscreens that meet these guidelines.  Save the reefs for posterity and help save the planet for your kids.