China and shark finning

The Chinese government hopes to use the 2008 Olympics as an opportunity to market their country, but it seems to have also given all the opponents an opportunity to spotlight China’s problems with human rights, the environment, politics, population, etc.

This week,a report is being circulated by how China is contributing to an exceedingly grim situation with how global shark populations are being driven to the verge of extinction mainly by the highly profitable practice of shark finning to supply Asian dinner tables and wedding banquets, with the principle demand coming from mainland China.

One study found that the Oceanic Whitetip shark native to the Gulf of Mexico had declined by more than 99% since 1950. Now almost forgotten, the species was once one of the most commonly caught sharks in the region. – Read on