The Deadly Consequences of Our Preying on Sharks

The June 18 Restaurant Issue included a description that praised shark fin flan (“Stick a Fork in It,” by S. Irene Virbila). The profitable market for shark fins is driving the practice of slicing off the fins of these animals and dumping them back in the ocean to die. Although the U.S. banned this practice in 2002, shark finning is legal if the rest of the animal is not dumped back in the ocean. Promoting and purchasing shark fin products fuels the peril of sharks.

Sharks are overfished: more than 100 million are killed annually for their meat or fins. If this continues, many shark species will disappear from our oceans, causing major consequences such as the increase of diseased animals, which sharks prey on. By making environmentally friendly seafood choices, we can make a difference in ensuring the future of sharks and our entire ocean.

Jerry R. Schubel

President and CEO

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach