Oh hello there, it’s #ManoMonday! Today I’ve got a group of queries...are sharks truly in danger of extinction, what’s with shark fishermen, what’s the strongest penalty for shark fishing, & why are these animals still being hunted? ——————————————————————————— Yes, sharks truly are in danger of extinction. Currently, 17 of 39 species of pelagic shark are threatened w/ extinction (www.worldwildlife.org) & protection is an ongoing struggle. It’s really important though, to understand the different varietals of #sharkfisherman. There are illegal/legal shark fishing boats, tourism/recreational fishing boats, & village fishing communities. Tourism/ recreational shark fishing is not something I personally support (so much data showing high numbers don’t survive after being released- but that’s a whole other can of worms), & there aren’t a lot of laws discouraging the practice. There are even still shark tournaments in some places.That’s a very volatile arena that could really use some outreach. In places where shark fishing means survival for small communities, @projecthiu is accomplishing some amazing work providing alternative ways to sustain these villages, like shark ecotourism. As far as legally hunting sharks for their fins/various parts...it’s all about peacefully trying to change perceptions. @gordongram himself says shark fin soup is a gelatinous mess & managed to convince some restaurants to quit serving it. In places where it is illegal to hunt sharks, stronger penalties need to be put into practice to deter the offenders. These penalties differ by location, but usually a fine and maybe a few days of jail time. As for the ‘why’ of it all, that also depends. Sometimes it’s money/greed, & sometimes it’s survival. But the more we get involved, the more we can make changes that can save sharks. Do you want to help save sharks and be a shark hunter, hunter like Phoenix? You can start by signing the petition to remove a fleet of illegal fishing vessels from the Galapagos! Link in bio. ——————————————————————————— Post @trumermaid @j.wolf.photography Wetsuit @xcelwetsuits @oceanramsay