Comments on: The world needed to see what I was witnessing http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/ Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:00:12 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Laz http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-5/#comment-488249 Laz Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:20:55 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488249 I am glad to see CNN reporting on this wasteful trade and rape of the natural environment. As with the hundreds of other horrific and sad acts against nature (ie. bushmeat, ivory trade, etc.), I think there are numerous ways we can all help as best as we can and that is through education and the all mighty dollar. Some dive resorts have worked with the local people to provide sustainability of their natural resources - showing how an animal is worth more alive than dead via tourism. Take whale watching, for example. Education is another important aspect. Teaching the locals the importance of their natural resources for their own livelihood would certainly turn the tides on shark finning and other such wasteful trades. Personally, I would love to see an end to shark finning all together, but I know this is an almost impossible task. Shark finning brings these poor fisherman the money they need to feed their own family. Sadly, everything revolves around money and I think sharing the wealth of tourism can turn many of these poor fishermen and their families into protectors of the wild. Laz - TheLivingSea.com I am glad to see CNN reporting on this wasteful trade and rape of the natural environment. As with the hundreds of other horrific and sad acts against nature (ie. bushmeat, ivory trade, etc.), I think there are numerous ways we can all help as best as we can and that is through education and the all mighty dollar.

Some dive resorts have worked with the local people to provide sustainability of their natural resources – showing how an animal is worth more alive than dead via tourism. Take whale watching, for example.

Education is another important aspect. Teaching the locals the importance of their natural resources for their own livelihood would certainly turn the tides on shark finning and other such wasteful trades.

Personally, I would love to see an end to shark finning all together, but I know this is an almost impossible task. Shark finning brings these poor fisherman the money they need to feed their own family. Sadly, everything revolves around money and I think sharing the wealth of tourism can turn many of these poor fishermen and their families into protectors of the wild.

Laz – TheLivingSea.com

]]> By: jutta http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-5/#comment-488246 jutta Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:10:10 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488246 Good article. I hope more people are reckognizing the urgent problem and support the work of helping organisation as for example shark project or others. The single fisherman who earns his money with fishing fins has to get another alternative to live. Good article. I hope more people are reckognizing the urgent problem and support the work of helping organisation as for example shark project or others. The single fisherman who earns his money with fishing fins has to get another alternative to live.

]]> By: Marcin (Poland) http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-5/#comment-488209 Marcin (Poland) Thu, 11 Dec 2008 07:27:36 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488209 I was in the same diving resort with Shawn. Great place, wonderful untouched reefs. During my trip back I spend a few days in Singapore - and - voila in every restaurant they offer a soup based on shark's fins, for a helluva lot of money. As long as the byuer's market exists nothing can be really done with sharks problem. The only way to deal with it is to adopt similar international rules as it was done with elephant's fangs: worldwide ban on trade of sharks' fins. I was in the same diving resort with Shawn. Great place, wonderful untouched reefs. During my trip back I spend a few days in Singapore – and – voila in every restaurant they offer a soup based on shark's fins, for a helluva lot of money. As long as the byuer's market exists nothing can be really done with sharks problem. The only way to deal with it is to adopt similar international rules as it was done with elephant's fangs: worldwide ban on trade of sharks' fins.

]]> By: Tarryn Clare Abrahams http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-5/#comment-488192 Tarryn Clare Abrahams Thu, 11 Dec 2008 06:23:24 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488192 I hope that a documentary can be made in South Africa about the slaughter of our Tiger Sharks by the Natal Sharks Board. Great work and thank you for bringing the dire straits of sharks into the main stream press. I hope that a documentary can be made in South Africa about the slaughter of our Tiger Sharks by the Natal Sharks Board. Great work and thank you for bringing the dire straits of sharks into the main stream press.

]]> By: Jim Abernethy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-5/#comment-488174 Jim Abernethy Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:54:13 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488174 First of all let me say how pleased I am to finally see a professional report about sharks without any sensationalism which is so common with most media reports concerning sharks today! Is is such a breath of fresh air to see a topic which is so important to the future health of our oceans as well as our planet be addressed properly. I hope the world is watching you today as I am and will see and view the crisis our world faces concerning our oceans. As one of the few people in the world that actually makes a living taking people to the so called large dangerous sharks year round without any protection, I can tell you that they are not the monsters that many portray them to be. They have a specific role in the ecosystem that essentially keeps all the species in balance. Without them our oceans will collapse. It is already happening in many places. It is imperative that we all join together and put a stop to the ruthless act of shark finning, NOW! I am so glad to see that CNN as well as Shawn Heinrich's are taking the time to educate the public about how our oceans creatures are being eradicated while only a few organizations seem to be doing anything about it. Thank you very much on be half of sharks for putting this article together as it is really needed. I sincerely hope that it makes a difference. First of all let me say how pleased I am to finally see a professional report about sharks without any sensationalism which is so common with most media reports concerning sharks today! Is is such a breath of fresh air to see a topic which is so important to the future health of our oceans as well as our planet be addressed properly. I hope the world is watching you today as I am and will see and view the crisis our world faces concerning our oceans. As one of the few people in the world that actually makes a living taking people to the so called large dangerous sharks year round without any protection, I can tell you that they are not the monsters that many portray them to be. They have a specific role in the ecosystem that essentially keeps all the species in balance. Without them our oceans will collapse. It is already happening in many places. It is imperative that we all join together and put a stop to the ruthless act of shark finning, NOW! I am so glad to see that CNN as well as Shawn Heinrich's are taking the time to educate the public about how our oceans creatures are being eradicated while only a few organizations seem to be doing anything about it. Thank you very much on be half of sharks for putting this article together as it is really needed. I sincerely hope that it makes a difference.

]]> By: vera http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-488126 vera Thu, 11 Dec 2008 04:04:14 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-488126 I don't know how this turned into a China-hating frenzy but ARE YOU AMERICANS SERIOUSLY the ones to talk about being environmentally friendly? seriously? SERIOUSLY?? Don't make me laugh my my head off. please. What a bunch of ignorant jokes. Like the Americans don't do anything culturally or environmentally offensive. Give me a break. I don't know how this turned into a China-hating frenzy but ARE YOU AMERICANS SERIOUSLY the ones to talk about being environmentally friendly? seriously? SERIOUSLY?? Don't make me laugh my my head off. please. What a bunch of ignorant jokes. Like the Americans don't do anything culturally or environmentally offensive. Give me a break.

]]> By: dessy febby http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487535 dessy febby Thu, 11 Dec 2008 02:33:58 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487535 Nice article Shawn, even we can't do much. In my country it's legal.. sorry to say that.. it's all about business, business n business.. so painfull for me to enjoying my dive trip then to see some of people distroying underwater life, am i to naive to thinking.. where r the money goes? some of dive operator said we have to pay for conservation area (entrance fee), but where r the money goes??? i am trully proud.. if u are guys care about this things, n why does my government not?? Nice article Shawn, even we can't do much. In my country it's legal.. sorry to say that.. it's all about business, business n business.. so painfull for me to enjoying my dive trip then to see some of people distroying underwater life, am i to naive to thinking.. where r the money goes? some of dive operator said we have to pay for conservation area (entrance fee), but where r the money goes??? i am trully proud.. if u are guys care about this things, n why does my government not??

]]> By: David McGuire http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487373 David McGuire Thu, 11 Dec 2008 01:20:44 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487373 We need more attention to this important issue. Good job Shawn. We hope to send the message to the big consumer of shark fins with a translation of Shark Stewards with the help of WildAid. www.sharkstewards.com We need more attention to this important issue. Good job Shawn.
We hope to send the message to the big consumer of shark fins with a translation of Shark Stewards with the help of WildAid.
http://www.sharkstewards.com

]]> By: Jack Raiden - D.C. http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487298 Jack Raiden - D.C. Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:56:29 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487298 Poeple who hunt sharks for their fins need to meet a few hungry tigersharks in dark waters. Personally. i couldnt care about wars. and poeple dying. 99% of all humans are corrupt and evil anyhow. but animals are not. sharks dont have rifles and grenades to protect themselves, so ever person a shark does kill, eat or both. hes just leveling the playing field. just like how many innocent animals the humans have decimated over the years? whats next the polar bears? God help them fight back. i would rather the world loose humans than animals. theres already far too many humans on this planet. let me ask this to those who are willing to answer, Do you honestly see animals alive in 150 years? or are they all going to be 3rd grade history? Poeple who hunt sharks for their fins need to meet a few hungry tigersharks in dark waters. Personally. i couldnt care about wars. and poeple dying. 99% of all humans are corrupt and evil anyhow. but animals are not. sharks dont have rifles and grenades to protect themselves, so ever person a shark does kill, eat or both. hes just leveling the playing field. just like how many innocent animals the humans have decimated over the years? whats next the polar bears? God help them fight back. i would rather the world loose humans than animals. theres already far too many humans on this planet. let me ask this to those who are willing to answer, Do you honestly see animals alive in 150 years? or are they all going to be 3rd grade history?

]]> By: Pandonodrim http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487285 Pandonodrim Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:52:01 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487285 Stop the fining! It's one of the largest, most heinous crimes ever committed by mankind, and that's saying a lot! Stop the fining! It's one of the largest, most heinous crimes ever committed by mankind, and that's saying a lot!

]]> By: Fallopia Tuba http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487263 Fallopia Tuba Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:44:34 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487263 I echo Michael's comment that the world will be a better place without us. Not only that, but the joke is on those who eat shark fin soup and shark meat: shark is highly polluted with mercury because sharks are "apex predators" who are at the top of the food chain. However, according to Chinese tradition, humans who eat sharks' fins and tiger penises take on the ferocity and virility of the animals they consume. Good luck with that. I echo Michael's comment that the world will be a better place without us.

Not only that, but the joke is on those who eat shark fin soup and shark meat: shark is highly polluted with mercury because sharks are "apex predators" who are at the top of the food chain. However, according to Chinese tradition, humans who eat sharks' fins and tiger penises take on the ferocity and virility of the animals they consume. Good luck with that.

]]> By: Sandy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487257 Sandy Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:40:03 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487257 JR - You are SICK - who CARES about a "poor little unborn baby????" Humans are a dime a dozen - not a precious thing. We have destroyed this planet and many of the creatures that are supposed to share it with us. Humans will become extinct and hopefully, the planet will begin to heal itself. What we need is a good plague to reduce human numbers. JR – You are SICK – who CARES about a "poor little unborn baby????" Humans are a dime a dozen – not a precious thing. We have destroyed this planet and many of the creatures that are supposed to share it with us. Humans will become extinct and hopefully, the planet will begin to heal itself. What we need is a good plague to reduce human numbers.

]]> By: Anna, HK http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487240 Anna, HK Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:34:21 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487240 Eating shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in Asia & has been around for generations... A habit like this cannot be changed overnight, but publicizing & educating the public (not just Asians!) on the dwindling plight of sharks is a very good start...... Eating shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in Asia & has been around for generations... A habit like this cannot be changed overnight, but publicizing & educating the public (not just Asians!) on the dwindling plight of sharks is a very good start......

]]> By: Pete Down Under http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487237 Pete Down Under Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:33:36 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487237 Unfortunately this has been going on for years. Only in recent times the shark fin boats have moved east in to the Raja Empat area in any sort of numbers as the numbers of sharks in western Indonesian waters have been depleted. There are a number unscrupulous business people that look for poor fisherman and offer them lots of Rupiah (only a few dollars for us) which they obviously take so as to support their families. Things like this will only change through education and then support for the fisherman to find new ways to earn money. So much fish is being taken from the oceans that not only sharks are at risk but also tuna, mackerel, reef fish and many others. Policing the worlds oceans is very difficult especially for countries that have numerous islands and a vast area's to protect. Unfortunately this has been going on for years. Only in recent times the shark fin boats have moved east in to the Raja Empat area in any sort of numbers as the numbers of sharks in western Indonesian waters have been depleted.

There are a number unscrupulous business people that look for poor fisherman and offer them lots of Rupiah (only a few dollars for us) which they obviously take so as to support their families. Things like this will only change through education and then support for the fisherman to find new ways to earn money.

So much fish is being taken from the oceans that not only sharks are at risk but also tuna, mackerel, reef fish and many others.

Policing the worlds oceans is very difficult especially for countries that have numerous islands and a vast area's to protect.

]]> By: Chris http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487158 Chris Thu, 11 Dec 2008 00:02:29 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487158 Just want to comment on the comment about the "unprovoked attacks" in Florida etc.. yes they are unprovoked, but WE are the ones in THEIR territory... Its like any wild animal stalking another, we are in their territory and free game as far as they are concerned... Just want to comment on the comment about the "unprovoked attacks" in Florida etc.. yes they are unprovoked, but WE are the ones in THEIR territory... Its like any wild animal stalking another, we are in their territory and free game as far as they are concerned...

]]> By: Melissa, Los Angeles http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487102 Melissa, Los Angeles Wed, 10 Dec 2008 23:38:09 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487102 The Chinese have always ate shark Randy. I hope you're a vegan and if you're not you're a hypocrite for judging others on the type of meat they consume because it's not a cow, chicken or pig. The Chinese have always ate shark Randy. I hope you're a vegan and if you're not you're a hypocrite for judging others on the type of meat they consume because it's not a cow, chicken or pig.

]]> By: E60 Driver http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487050 E60 Driver Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:53:00 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487050 It's a shark for crying out loud...who cares...if it tastes good, I'm eating it, be it shark, beef, chicken, pork, dog, ostrich, cat whatever. Humans are top of the food chain and if I choose to eat whatever it is, then let me. If you don't eat it...that's fine. We need to quit worying about everybody else...let me do my thng and you do your thing and just let it be. It's a shark for crying out loud...who cares...if it tastes good, I'm eating it, be it shark, beef, chicken, pork, dog, ostrich, cat whatever. Humans are top of the food chain and if I choose to eat whatever it is, then let me. If you don't eat it...that's fine. We need to quit worying about everybody else...let me do my thng and you do your thing and just let it be.

]]> By: Sandy http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487049 Sandy Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:48:30 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487049 How about humans STOP OVER REPRODUCING and give other species a chance???? Overpopulated, arrogant, wasteful, greedy, selfish, perversions IMHO re the human race. How about humans STOP OVER REPRODUCING and give other species a chance???? Overpopulated, arrogant, wasteful, greedy, selfish, perversions IMHO re the human race.

]]> By: MPalalay (California) http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487040 MPalalay (California) Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:29:06 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487040 Your eye-opening article reminds me of a vacation trip my family took three years ago to a northern coastal town of the Philippines, the hometown of our late father. On the way back to our family hotel from a trip to the city, my brother ordered the driver to drop by a fishmonger's streetside stall where we always bought the freshest catch of the day for our personal as well as our hotel guests' consumption. Upon inspecting the bucketful of live lobsters that the vendor had saved for us, I had noticed one that could not have had been bigger than three inches. I had alerted my brother about this, and pleaded with him to request the fisherfolks to please refrain from catching these undersized lobsters, considering such indiscretion could undoubtedly impact the already fragile ecosystem. My brother took a look at it, paused in contemplation, and then reluctantly responded, "Ading (Little sister), there are different kinds of laws that operate within these struggling fisherfolks--the law of the jungle and the law of survival. The mentality is that: if they don't take the undersized lobster or fish and sell it, someone else will." What or how can one respond to that? Still, comparing two evils, the wanton shark slaughter for the fins seems much more extreme, gruesome, and yes, unconscionable--to say the least. Your eye-opening article reminds me of a vacation trip my family took three years ago to a northern coastal town of the Philippines, the hometown of our late father. On the way back to our family hotel from a trip to the city, my brother ordered the driver to drop by a fishmonger's streetside stall where we always bought the freshest catch of the day for our personal as well as our hotel guests' consumption. Upon inspecting the bucketful of live lobsters that the vendor had saved for us, I had noticed one that could not have had been bigger than three inches.

I had alerted my brother about this, and pleaded with him to request the fisherfolks to please refrain from catching these undersized lobsters, considering such indiscretion could undoubtedly impact the already fragile ecosystem. My brother took a look at it, paused in contemplation, and then reluctantly responded, "Ading (Little sister), there are different kinds of laws that operate within these struggling fisherfolks–the law of the jungle and the law of survival. The mentality is that: if they don't take the undersized lobster or fish and sell it, someone else will."

What or how can one respond to that? Still, comparing two evils, the wanton shark slaughter for the fins seems much more extreme, gruesome, and yes, unconscionable–to say the least.

]]> By: Kevin Zelko http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/2008/12/10/the-world-needed-to-see-what-i-was-witnessing/comment-page-4/#comment-487030 Kevin Zelko Wed, 10 Dec 2008 22:02:48 +0000 http://ac360.blogs.cnn.com/?p=18629#comment-487030 To the people who posted responses of "who are you to tell me what to eat?" and "I like Shark Fin soup" and lastly "Bull Sharks do attack others, we should worry about the sharks that don't" --- It's about the ecosystem stupid. The web is connected to all beings with predators relying on their hunt. We don't fit into this chain. Extinction is forever. To the people who posted responses of "who are you to tell me what to eat?" and "I like Shark Fin soup" and lastly "Bull Sharks do attack others, we should worry about the sharks that don't" -
It's about the ecosystem stupid. The web is connected to all beings with predators relying on their hunt. We don't fit into this chain. Extinction is forever.

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