Shark Conservation Act vote is soon

[Guest guest]

" Ocean Conservancy "

 

A growing number of shark populations are in trouble and they need

your help. We're expecting the Senate to vote on the Shark

Conservation Act of 2009 in the coming weeks and it's vital that it

passes.

 

Please send a message to your senator right now, urging them to vote " YES "

on this bill that will put an end to the wasteful practice of " finning " and

restore the US as a leader in shark conservation:

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=bMU2wCi6tLH09su13Kt10w..

 

[for American residents]

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Dear Ocean Advocate,

 

It's shocking, really, that a practice like this can continue in US waters.

 

I'm Sonja Fordham, Ocean Conservancy's Shark Conservation Program, and I'm talking about " finning " -- the practice of

slicing off a shark's valuable fins for soup and tossing the

body back to sea.

 

If you're like me, the thought of it makes you outraged and eager to

end it. Me, I've dedicated almost two decades to conserving sharks.

You, I just need you to urge your senators to pass the Shark

Conservation Act of 2009 right now:

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=zUpORCmk5QHrRNKAXyzNhQ..

 

The bill, which already passed in the House of Representatives last

March, is needed to end the practice of shark finning in US waters and

to step up shark conservation efforts in other countries. The US

passed a national finning ban in 2000, but the practice continues and

is still legal in many other nations. The demand for the fins, which

can sell for up to hundreds of dollars per pound, remains high for

shark fin soup, an Asian delicacy.

 

The Shark Conservation Act of 2009 closes loopholes in the US finning

ban and can revitalize shark conservation efforts on a global scale. It must

be passed without further delay. Please join me, and the thousands of other

Ocean Conservancy supporters, by sending a powerful message to your

senators: http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=9L5oNib-hPT8i3ibW-azQw..

 

A growing number of shark populations are in peril from overfishing and

unsustainable finning -- we must do better. Prohibiting the removal of shark

fins at sea takes the guesswork out of determining if sharks were finned and

greatly improves the ability of experts to accurately record the shark

species taken. This bill can end the waste of these vulnerable animals and

will contribute to our knowledge of shark population health and conservation

needs.

 

When the passionate support of people like you combines with our policy

expertise, we can end harmful fishing practices and turn the tide for

sharks. We can end the wasteful practice of shark finning. Working together,

we can save our sharks:

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=WDvVXrH1qScy1RKmir4dsg..

 

Thank you for all that you do to fight for a healthy and diverse ocean,

 

Sonja Fordham

Shark Conservation Program Director

Ocean Conservancy