Words by @jim_abernathy and photo by @camgrantphotography of @oceanramsey 💙 Please read! ・・・ URGENT CALL TO ACTION TO HELP SHARKS!🦈 Legislation is currently being filed in Florida to ensure the State will no longer support and participate in the global trade of shark fins, a trade that is devastating shark populations around the world at a rate that is leading to the extinction of many shark species. The trade continues to thrive despite regulations that prohibit the act of “finning” or requirements to “land sharks whole/fins attached”. Both provisions leave the door wide open to the continued targeting of sharks for their fins, whether they are finned at sea, illegally, or finned after they are landed. Enforcement is complicated and beyond the capacity of most agencies. As long as fins can be freely sold and transported, it is nearly impossible to curb finning and the illegal fin trade. There is little public outrage because the wholesale slaughter of sharks takes place out of sight. Most citizens are shocked to find out that their own home state enables the trade of fins. And most of them vehemently oppose this and want it stopped. Florida is surrounded by the sea and it’s tourism and fishing economy depends on the ocean. If this bill passes, the State will be a shining example for conservation and protection of sharks, rather than a passive participant in the fin trade. In an ideal world we would follow sustainable management plans of all fisheries, around the globe. But that is unfortunately an unrealistic dream at this point. Sharks are being taken at a highly unsustainable rate and we must act with measures that are practical and enforceable, such as a prohibition on the sale and trade of shark fins. Since Texas and all the West Coast states have banned the sale and import/export of fins, Florida has become the hub for the trade of fins in the US. By allowing this to continue, Florida is supporting the global trade of shark fins. To show the legislature how important this issue is, we need YOUR HELP! Please click the link in my bio to add your name. @jim_abernethy @sharkallies @sealegacy @wildlifevoiceinc #TurningTheTide #NoFinFL #StopTheFinTrade https://www.instagram.com/p/BszDExCBst6/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ru6yrp4p8n8d
