Greetings!
Finally, a blog update! And yes I apologize for this super duper late update.
If you're wondering where was I for these days---
I'm currently attending a disciple training for 3 months! Having the time of my life!
More on that later.
Not to forget, Happy CNY people!
Gong Xi Fa Cai/Gong Hei Fatt Choi/ Giong Hi Huat Cai
(Chinese, Cantonese and Hokkien)
For this CNY
Let us make a change, take a pledge
SAY NO TO SHARK FIN SOUP
Why?
Sharks are being driven to extinction for their fins
The demand for shark fin is so great that, within a few short decades, sharks are being dangerously overfished. Many species are in danger of extinction and shark populations worldwide are disappearing.
Guess how many sharks being killed each year? Over 100 million
"Sharkfinning" kills the sharks just for fins
Because the primary market for sharks is limited to their fins, many of these sharks are killed just for their fins. In 'sharkfinning', the sharks are caught and their fins are cut off.
The rest of the shark is then thrown into the ocean, often while they are still alive. That is not only a terribly cruel practice, but is highly wasteful, which about 95% of the fish being thrown away.
They reproduce very slowly too!
Yes, sharks ARE important to us. Alive!
Isn't it good that sharks are being exterminated? Aren't sharks dangerous to men?
No, they are not generally dangerous to men.
The media magnifies the very rare incidents where a shark bites a human as if these are common and fearsome occurrences.
Fact: Only 5 people in the entire world will die from a shark wound in an average year.
Sharks are crucial in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem too. They help to keep populations of other fish in a healthy proportion since they are on the top of the food chain.
Where sharks are eliminated, marine ecosystem loses its balance.
The lesson is important. Sharks are being killed for their fins for shark fin soup, a food that has cultural value, but is not important for human survival or health.
However, removing the sharks can result in the loss of important foods that we do depend upon for survival.
One more thing, sharks have survived for 450 million years, but may be gone within 10 years.
Shark Fin Soup is not healthy. IT CAN BE TOXIC!
Studies show that shark is among the highest level of toxic mercury that is found in fish. And, that mercury can be very hazardous to our health!
The danger of Mercury:
- Mental disabilities (fetus)
- Damage central nervous system (adults)
- Lower sperm count and causes sterility (men)
And yes, Mercury is in shark fin and in soup.
So, why shark fin soup? Where it isn't beneficial to the ecosystem, nor you.
Start from you, influence others, share the information
From now on, banquets, weddings or CNY,
Take a stand, Take the pledge
Say 'no' to shark fin soup.
when the buying stops, the killing stops.
