Sharks and the environment<\/p>\n
This is with reference to Sia Ka-Mou's letter in The Jakarta
\nPost on July 16 that seems to be a defense of the consumption of
\nshark fin (vis-a-vis a personal attack on Robert Go). Assuming
\nthat it is a defense, however, here is my rebuttal:<\/p>\n
Sia Ka-Mou talks about controlled and selective fishing and
\nfinning being needed to sustain the ocean ecosystem from shark
\noverpopulation. Big words... which try to camouflage an abysmal
\nignorance. What overpopulation is he talking about? These are the
\nfacts: Over 100 million sharks are killed annually, mostly for
\ntheir fins (against, incidentally, an average of 5.4 -- five
\npoint four -- humans who die of shark attacks every year).<\/p>\n
If this continues, it leaves this 450 million year old animal
\nwith barely a few more decades of existence. And, given the vital
\nrole they play in the ocean food chain, eliminating them is bound
\nto have wide-ranging repercussions -- as the Newsweek article
\nthat Sia Ka-Mou refers to has stated.<\/p>\n
Sia Ka-Mou's concern for the livelihood of those connected
\nwith the shark fin industry, is, I'm sure, well-meant. But he
\nmisses the point that Robert Go was trying to make: That the
\nlarger issue at stake is the environment. Divers, unlike shark
\nfin restaurateurs, do not aid in the wanton destruction of
\nsharks; they (and everybody else associated with the sport) offer
\nan alternative that preserves both sharks as well as, ultimately,
\nhumans.<\/p>\n
Education is, and always will be, the antidote to the kind of
\nbigotry that people that Sia Ka-Mou demonstrate. I strongly
\nadvise that he visit sites such as: www.seashepherd.com or
\nwww.wildaid.com to get a better idea of the kind of soup that
\nsharks are really in.<\/p>\n
Rajesh Menon<\/p>\n
Jakarta<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sharks-and-the-environment-1447893297", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }