Anti Shark Finning:
Here at Kelly Tarlton’s we are committed to protecting our ocean and marine ecosystems. We therefore support Shark Finning awareness efforts and would like Shark Finning banned in New Zealand.
Located on site is a ‘Stop Shark Finning’ pledge which is run by Forest & Bird. By signing this pledge you are casting a vote requesting the NZ government to take action and stop the Shark Finning practice as well as taking all steps to stop the importation of Shark Fins and Shark Fin Products into New Zealand.
So please support this cause by signing the petition on your next visit to Kelly’s.
About Shark Finning
Shark Finning is a process whereby sharks are caught and their dorsal, pectoral, and tail fins are cut off their body. Most sharks that are targeted are still alive when their finless body is returned to the sea, which means they endure a slow, drowning death that can last for days.
As apex predators, sharks keep an equal balance in our delicate marine ecosystem that has evolved over millions of years. Sharks are cleaners of our oceans, often feeding off the sick and dead wildlife as well as keeping marine life populations in check.
Long-lived and slow to mature and breed, these ancient creatures are incredibly vulnerable to over-fishing. Over the last decade, shark fishing has increased dramatically, largely because their fins are a prized ingredient in shark fin soup, a delicacy in many Asian countries.
The New Zealand situation
- New Zealand has 112 species of shark recorded in our waters. Of these, 79 species are known to be caught in our fisheries, including 28 that are listed as threatened by the World Conservation Union (IUCN). Only one threatened shark species – the Great White Shark – is protected in New Zealand.
- On average 24,000 tonnes of shark are caught each year in New Zealand (Ministry of Fisheries figures) - the equivalent of 300,000 people.
- Most of the sharks landed in our fisheries are used for their meat, but to avoid waste the fins of some species are used. However, Ministry of Fisheries data shows that seven percent of all sharks landed are taken just for their fins.
- Finning live sharks is illegal in New Zealand under the Animal Welfare Act, but if the shark is dead before cutting off the fins, it is legal.
- Finning is banned in several countries, including Australia, the EU, the USA, South Africa, Ecuador, Mexico and Brazil, but not in New Zealand.
- Once stripped from the body of the shark, fins are lightweight, compact and extremely profitable (fins can reach $US700 per kilo), making them a very attractive by-catch.
It is estimated that 100 million sharks are killed each year worldwide – in the time it takes you to read this article more than 1800 sharks will have been killed.
