Just when we were thinking it was becoming safe for sharks to be in Australian waters, the Queensland government in an incredible display of ecological insensitivity has proposed a shark fin fishery in the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and in marine parks in Queensland waters.This announcement has come just as Rob Stewart's award winning film Sharkwater opens in Australia. This film which features Sea Shepherd's efforts to stop shark finning is raising awareness of the plight of sharks worldwide.
Smelly Fishy Business in the Galapagos
Since 2000, Sea Shepherd has been working with the Galapagos National Park and the Ecuadorian National Environmental Police to try and control poaching in the Marine Reserve. Recent activities in the Galapagos illustrate ongoing problems. On May 5th, the Head of the Navy for the Galapagos released a shark poaching vessel that was arrested on April 27th. This boat was caught inside the Marine Reserve with between 140 and 290 sharks plus shark fins onboard.
The Navy said the vessel was released because the fish were beginning to smell. However there seems to be a stronger stench in the Enchanted Islands and it is not coming from the fish.
Sea Shepherd believes that if the world can't save the Galapagos then there is little hope for every other eco-system on this planet. We must fight the corruption that is perpetuating the steady diminishment of these incredible islands.
Information provided by Sea Shepherd