5 October 2006
Suspicious shark finning
by Richella, onboard the Esperanza
©Greenpeace/Alex Hofford
This photo was taken in a warehouse less than 100 metres from where the Esperanza had been docked in Pohnpei.. While most of the team had been busy on official Defending Our Oceans business, Alex had come across evidence of a lucrative shark finning operation. Maarten and I joined him and we spent the remaining two and a half hours in Pohnpei trying to unravel what was going on.
Watch the 'at the scene' video, below.
Trackback Pings
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://weblog.greenpeace.org/cgi-bin/mv/mt-tb.cgi/2258
Comments
thats a nasty business shark finning, there was something in the news (or was it new scientist?) recently that said the shark catch was probably underestimated by a factor of four worldwide. Had better check my references on that one though...
Posted by: Matthew at October 5, 2006 1:24 AM
Finally some work! I tought greenpeace was all about pursuing injustices and I just see photos of wonderfuls paradisiac places and things that I can buy in a Travel Magazine. If Ocean defenders is all about a group of people wandering in a boat, meeting new cultures and ordinary stuff it doesn´t move me, sorry
[Reply from Adele, Web Editor: In the last week or so alone, here are just some of the things our Oceans team has done to Defend our Oceans (not to mention all our other campaigns!):
Exposed the shark finning operation
Stopped a toxic shipment and forced it to be investigated
Stopped pirate trawlers and brought them under investigation also
Posted by: gonçalo cardoso at October 5, 2006 2:58 PM
Hi Richella, ...Adele,
...and thanks very much for this excellent article of shark finning. Finally some work?? That's a strange thing for someone to say. Personally, I am amazed at what you all have accomplished so far. Your efforts are having a dramatic effect on this earth, and the indigenous peoples living in it. I appreciate your efforts to educate peoples in all corners of these seven oceans, even if they do sometimes live in paradistic (albeit endangered), places. People everywehere need to be aware of the serious trouble our oceans are in. There is no one else like you, and people in remote and underdeveloped countries need a symbol of hope for their ecosystem that your beautiful hearts, and Greenpeace represents. I suppose it would be easy, to look out over this vast ocean and think it is invincible. Logic and physical evidence tells us otherwise - http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=35008 ...Thank you all for you Love, kindness, and determination. We are lost without you...
Posted by: Grateful Child at October 7, 2006 3:03 PM
Hi,
Interesting. I am working on a doc for Discovery about shark finning. Suspicion would normally arise if there were just fins being landed. It would suggest the carcasses would have been discarded at sea and the fins kept. My suggestion would be to check the legal situation regarding the landing of fins in that part of the world. It should be noted there is a market for shark meat and there are many by products from sharks that local people may be making. For example in Central America shark oil is used as a cure for asthma.
It was good to see your research in your acticle and the points made regarding the necessary conservation of shark specii. Thanks and keep up the good work.
Phil
Posted by: phil at October 8, 2006 7:54 PM
All updates from the Southern Ocean whaling 2007 leg »
All updates from the Pacific transit »
All updates from the Mexico leg »
All updates from the Hawaii leg »
All updates from the Pacific leg »
All updates from the Philippines leg »
All updates from the India leg »
All updates from the Red Sea leg »
All updates from the Mediterranean leg »
All updates from the Azores leg »
All updates from the Pirate Fishing/Africa leg »
All updates from the Southern Ocean »
Avast ye land lubbers! The ocean critters need your help!
Take action today!
