As one of the top predators of the ocean, sharks play a key role in maintaining the balance of the ocean's ecology. Unfortunately, people kill a lot of sharks in order to get precious cooking ingredients and Chinese herbs. To meet market demand, crew members on commercial fishing boats will capture sharks, cut off their fins, and then throw the often alive animals back into the sea. There, finless sharks sank to the bottom of the sea, where they died of suffocation or predation. By retaining only the fins, the crew does not have to transport the shark's body back to the port.
It is estimated that for this reason, between 75 and 100 million sharks are killed every year in the world, exceeding the rate at which they can multiply. As a result, many species are now threatened with extinction.
Since 1994, the Canadian government has mandated that fishermen to fish shark fins is illegal. However, in a speech in Toronto on Thursday, the Canadian government announced that it now also bans the import and export of shark fins. The bill was passed on June 18 and is currently awaiting the Royal Governor of Canada.
The announcement was announced by the Fisheries, Oceans and Canadian Coast Guard Minister Jonathan Wilkinson. Also present were representatives from the International Humanitarian Association and the non-profit organization Oceana Canada, as well as the family of Canadian filmmaker Rob Stewart, the latter's 2006 documentary Shark Ocean. (Sharkwater) has caused international concern about the practice of cutting fin sharks, but unfortunately, he was killed in a diving accident when he filmed a sequel in Florida.
Wilkinson said: "The cutting of sharks is undoubtedly a destructive practice that has led to a reduction in the number of sharks worldwide and a continuing threat to the marine ecosystem. The new action announced today is Canada's protection of the marine environment. A clear example of leadership."