Tell Congress to ban the sale of Shark FinsAn estimated 100 million sharks are killed for their fins

Tell Congress to ban the sale of Shark FinsAn estimated 100 million sharks are killed for their fins every year.Shark Fin Soup is a delicacy in China and other Asian Countries. It is a soup that is flavored with either chicken or some other broth, since the fin itself has little to no flavor. The fin is primarily to add texture to the dish and because it is a delicacy. It is served at special events and can exceed $100 a bowl. The soup is often claimed to have health benefits, such as increasing your appetite, improving your kidneys, lungs and bones. However there is no evidence to support these claims and the reality is that shark meat is barely fit for human consumption. It has a very high level of mercury and the United States Environmental protection agency advises women and young children to stay clear of it. Because of this dish, an estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year, primarily through a process called finning. Finning is where fisherman take Sharks and they remove the top fin, often times while the shark is still alive. Since there is no “use” and no profit to be made from the rest of the shark, there are thrown back to drown, since sharks cannot breath without having their top fin to aid them in moving through the water.Because of this Shark populations have dropped between 60 and 90% worldwide in the last 15 years and most experts believe that many shark species will go extinct in the next 10 years.The largest problem is that, the shark fin trade is a multi-billion dollar industry, which makes it a steep uphill battle to fight. One pound of dried shark fin can sell for $300 or more. While the fishing of Shark in US waters is Illegal, the sale and purchase of shark fins remains legal in the US. In order to protect many shark species from extinctions, we want the US Congress to pass a law outlawing the sale and distribution of Shark fin in the US.Sign this Petition Now! -- source link

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