Please Take Action for the Sharks
From Isabella Vegan Blog & Shark Trust
It’s time to strengthen the finning ban! | European Shark Week 2010!
For the fourth year in a row, European Shark Week was a huge success; thanks to the many aquariums and passionate individuals, throughout the UK and the rest of Europe, who made their voice count. An action packed week of activities and fundraising events took place between the 9–17th October; with such overwhelming support this year we have ensured that word and support for shark conservation has spread far and wide.
The week was celebrated with graffiti shark art, sand sculpting competitions and encounters of the virtual kind, as shark enthusiasts were given the opportunity to dive with a Great White in the worlds first interactive dive cage. Helpful supporters took part in a shark trail to help Bruce the shark find his friends and participated in a variety of shark workshops, shark talks, art classes, quizzes, competitions and so much more…
Even though European Shark Week has passed, your voice is still vital to the campaign and we need your help to secure a future for sharks in our waters.
Myth: Sharks are bloodthirsty man-eaters and ruthless killing machines.
Reality: More people are killed each year by falling vending machines than by sharks.
SSCS
2010 is particularly important as we are at both a critical and exciting time to advance the conservation of sharks in Europe. The current EU Finning Ban is fraught with loopholes, which allow this practice to continue and so, this year, we are working to secure a stronger finning ban in European waters.
In September, four Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) launched a ‘Written Declaration’ calling on the Commission to deliver a proposal to completely prohibit the removal of shark fins on-board vessels. To ensure this is implemented we need your help to guarantee that a majority of MEPs sign the Written Declaration before 20th December 2010.
Your voice counts so please take action by writing to your local MEP today and urge them to sign Written Declaration 71/2010.
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The Written Declaration was initiated by a group of MEPs in cooperation with the Shark Alliance, a coalition of more than 100 conservation, scientific and recreational organisations dedicated to conserving sharks. For more information please visit: www.europeansharkweek.org
WHERE TO SEND YOUR LETTERS:
SAMPLE LETTER TO SEND:
Sir or Madam,
I urge you to help conserve sharks by signing the Written Declaration in support of strengthening the European Union ban on shark finning – the wasteful practice of
slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea.
Sharks, vital predators in out ocean ecosystem, are at great risk from overfishing. Roughly one-third of European species are considered threatened.
Finning is driven by high demand for the Asian delicacy shark fin soup. The EU finning ban is among the weakest in the world, but is at least being revised by the European commission.
Now is the time to close loopholes in the EU finning ban by prohibiting, without exception, the removal of shark fins on-board fishing vessels.
Please send a strong message to the Commission about your commitment to shark conservation and ocean health. Add your name to this Written Declaration and
encourage your colleagues to do the same.
Thank you.
(Please fill in your name and country)
MORE ACTIONS:
- English and traditional Chinese (below as well)
- English and simplified Chinese
- English only
- Traditional Chinese only
- Simplified Chinese only
- Wedding (English and traditional Chinese; English and simplified Chinese)
- Celebration (English and traditional Chinese; English and simplified Chinese)
- Banquet (English and traditional Chinese; English and simplified Chinese)
5. Be aware that consuming shark fin may raise health concerns, especially for children and pregnant women.
6. Distribute brochures [PDF] on ending the cruel practice of shark finning:
7. If there is a Chinese New Year celebration in your city, contact HSI for more information on how you can help.
8. If you own or operate a restaurant or other business that currently offers or promotes products containing shark fin, please sign our No Shark Fin pledge (English and traditional Chinese; English and simplified Chinese) [PDF]. Please mail your signed pledge to HSI. In thanks, we will send you a beautiful Friend of Sharks certificate.
9. View Sherman’s Lagoon cartoons focused on shark finning and answer artist Jim Toomey’s call to mail your shark drawing to the National Marine Fisheries Service.
10. Sign up to receive action alerts and other items from Humane Society International.
FROM SHARK TRUST:
EUROPEAN SHARK WEEK RESOURCES (below as well)
- The European Shark Guide (pdf)
- A2 Postcard (pdf)
- MEP Letter Template
- Childrens Pocket Guide to Helping Sharks (pdf)
Written Declaration 0071/2010
MEPs To Write by Region | Click on those with “X”, it will automatically open a new email with the address populated
Finning Consumer Card for Restaurants
2009 Sea Shepherd Shark Brochure
The European Shark Guide
Children’s Pocket Guide to Helping Sharks
Template Letter to Protest Restaurants that support Shark Finning
A2 Postcard
a simple quiz if i may
one little question
i ask today
who will be bloodthirsty
every time he can?
the species we all know
as man
so myths dispelled about
sharks that vex
it is man who is the
predator, apexKaren Lyons Kalmenson
Our Compass 
a simple quiz if i may
one little question
i ask today
who will be bloodthirsty
every time he can?
the species we all know
as man
so myths dispelled about
sharks that vex
it is man who is the
predator, apex
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Thank you so much Stacey! Action taken naturally
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Make it & shared proudly!!!
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