Shark Fin - Bangkok
I was shocked by the amount of shark fin being served; There's at least 100 restaurants serving shark fin in Bangkok alone. I felt disappointed that this is still happening and finning is still legal in countries such as Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia; some of the biggest exporters of shark products. I hope that people stop supporting this cruel industry. As a vegan and animal rights advocate, I find it hard to witness animals body parts being consumed for pleasure and used as products. Various issues impact shark populations internationally including fishing to pollution and over 100 million are killed each year; this is unsustainable and we need to protect these incredible animals as they are integral in supporting the balance of marine life. These photographs show the reality of the exploitation of sharks in Thailand and the process that is involved; from the oceans to the plate. A recent FAO report published in 2015 suggests that Thailand has become the leading exporter of shark fins worldwide. (Dent & Clark, 2015)
According to a 2015 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) report, “State of the global market for shark products”, Thailand occupies a significant position in the global market for shark fins. Thailand imported at least 136 tonnes of shark fin between 2007 and 2012. The country also plays a primary role in the world market as the major exporter of low-value, processed shark fins.
A pair of shark fins can sell for as much as US$1,000 per kg in Asia. Some shark populations have declined by up to 98% in the last 15 years and nearly one third of pelagic shark species are considered threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
