Palau pioneers 'shark sanctuary' | Photo 05

Fins of up to 73 million sharks each year pass through the Hong Kong shark fin markets into China and beyond. The number rises above 100 million sharks killed annually when commercial and recreational fishing and unintended by-catch are added. Sharks mature and reproduce slowly and cannot recover from this rate of catch.

Increased consumption of shark fin soup in China is in relation to its economic success. The soup is served at business dinners, banquets, and weddings as a symbol of status and prosperity. Consumers believe the soup to be highly nutritious.

But the truth is just the opposite. Sharks are potent concentrators of toxins that enter the oceans from industrial pollution, including methylmercury. Toxins accumulate as they move up the food chain from prey to predator. Sharks are at the top of the chain and retain the most toxins. The toxins then enter and remain in the people who eat sharks.

The removal of sharks from the oceans may be even more dangerous. For over 450 million years, sharks have been the guardians of the balance of the ocean ecosystem. Their demise has been shown to upset the entire food chain, with some species becoming too plentiful and causing the disappearance of other species important to man’s food supply. The elimination of sharks may yet bring an end to shark fin soup, but at too high a price for the sharks, the oceans, and mankind.

Fortunately, there is evidence the high demand for shark fin soup can be reduced. Research conducted in China indicates that when confronted with the truth, consumers will change their impression of the soup. Indeed, 82% of those who recently saw WildAid advertising claim they will stop eating the soup.

Since 1996, WildAid’s Active Conservation Awareness Program (ACAP) has effectively curbed the demand for illegal wildlife products. During 2007-08, WildAid developed and expanded its work to reduce demand for shark products, primarily in China. This campaign included television and billboard campaigns featuring leading Olympic stars pledged not to eat shark fin soup. The advertising featured the main stars of the Olympics Opening Ceremony, Yao Ming, who carried the Chinese flag for the Chinese team, Li Ning, who lit the giant torch and musician Liu Huan, who sang the official theme song of the 2008 Olympics.

In 2009, WildAid and Shark Savers have come together to amplify the impact of this awareness and education campaign in China to reduce consumption of shark fin soup. This campaign will utilize cultural, athletic, and business heroes of China, including basketball legend Yao Ming, to deliver a message proven to make shark fin soup socially unacceptable.

Both organizations have complimentary missions, are pooling their resources, skills, and energy to make sure this campaign is most effective before we reach the point of no return for shark conservation. WildAid's primary efforts in this campaign will be the development and airing of television, print, and outdoor advertising, and to leverage its network of influential Chinese. Shark Savers' focus will be on creating Internet and social networking messaging, a film and other materials, designed to empower people to become advocates for the cause in their families and communities. There will be additional elements of the campaign, as well.

We, at Shark Savers, are very excited to be working with WildAid on this campaign. No where in the world can we affect as big a change in shark consumption habits than in China. We think that, together, we have the right skills, message, and elements to 'close the sale' with the Chinese public. It is an urgent time as shark populations continue to dwindle, but we think that there are signs of real hope. With the athletic and cultural heroes and prominent businessmen that are coming together for this cause, and the already-proven message, we think we may be at a tipping point in China on the issue of shark fin soup.

Current status:

We have raised enough funds to produce the first phase of the campaign and to launch it. Production is in progress at the time of this writing. We urgently need additional funds to keep the campaign going.