Shark finning has become very popular in the past 15 years. The shark population is declining rapidly because the top predator is no longer in the sea but on land. Humans will slice off the sharks fin and throw the animal back into the water with no disregard for the living being. Shark fins are a large target for fisheries because they have a large price value. Shark finning is part of a multi-billion dollar industry, shark fins can go from $300 a pound or higher.
Shark finning is extremely popular in Asia as they use the shark fin for a cultural dish. A shark fin soup is used as a hierarchy status. It is believed that shark fin soup has medicinal benefits, and was a soup favored by Emperors.
Over 100 million sharks are killed yearly due to the popularity of their fins. What is shark finning you ask? Shark finning is the act of removing fins from sharks while they are still alive, once the fin is removed the shark is thrown back into the ocean to fend for itself. The fisher will remove the sharks' primary and secondary dorsal fins, pectoral fins, pelvic fins, anal fin, and caudal fin or the entire tail. In the end, the shark will float to the bottom of the ocean where they will essentially suffocate or become prey for others.
Sharks that are typically targeted.
Blacktip
Blue
Bull
Hammerhead
Porbeagle
Mako
Sandbar
Thresher
Tiger
Great white
You can make a change. Go to the link below and help ban the Shark Finning trade in Florida.
I've been doing a lot of digging to expand my education on the things I care about, I've watched documentary after documentary and have formed a hefty list of must-watch movies, from captivity to plastic pollution and dolphin slaughtering. Some of these movies are graphic and hard to watch but if you can push through it, your eyes will be opened to some of the biggest problems with our earth and with humanity. Let's dive into this list and dare to learn the truth.
1.Blackfish
Netflix released this controversial 2013 documentary film with the intent of shedding some light on the captivity issues at SeaWorld. The film mostly follows Tillikum, one of SeaWorld's captive orcas. The movie shows the extreme stresses of capturing wild orcas and breeding them for entertainment. This film does include footage of attacks on trainers and interviews with witnesses, as well as the heartbreaking story of Katina and Kalina (SeaWorld's whales) and their separation.
In 2016 Netflix released this riveting documentary following a journalist and filmmaker named Craig Leeson who is searching for the blue whale. In the midst of his adventures, he discovers plastic waste polluting the oceans. Leeson teams up with a free diver named Tanya Streeter and an international team of scientists and researchers. They then travel around the world for four years, exploring the state of our oceans and uncover alarming truths about plastic pollution, how it affects marine life and try to find solutions that can be put into effect as soon as possible. This film features some disturbing photos of what happens when marine life ingests plastic.
The Cove can be found on Hulu, this heart-pounding 2009 film takes place on the coast of Taiji, Japan. This documentary covers dolphin hunting, mass dolphin kills, Japanese fishing practices and informs the public about the risk of mercury poisoning. Thousands of migrating dolphins are herded in a cove where they are trapped and killed by fishers. This film argues that dolphin hunting is unnecessary and cruel. The Cove has also drawn a lot of controversy over secret filming and portrayal of Japanese people. This film was partly recorded using underwater microphones and high-definition cameras disguised as rocks. WARNING: This film is extremely graphic with images of dolphins being killed and bloody waters.
This captivating 2011 film follows Dr.Ingrid Visser as she shares the seas with Killer Whales (Orcas.) It can be found on Netflix, and covers the issue of the misconception of the Killer Whale and also looks for clues to the state of our oceans.
This 2014 documentary is featured on Netflix, legendary oceanographer, marine biologist, environmentalist, and National Geographic Explorer in-residence Sylvia Earle takes us on an eyeopening mission to protect marine sanctuaries.
This 2015 student-made film can be found on Youtube, this film focuses on pollution, climate change, and the fishing industry. The fishing industry is massive and survives on taxpayer subsidies. The demand for seafood is so large it has taken an impact on our seas. Troubled Waters takes a look at the long term economic and environmental ramifications on the fish population.
Inside The Tanks is a 2017 documentary that can be found on Youtube. This film looks at both sides of the controversy that surrounds marine captivity. This unique documentary we get to see in depths interviews between The Born Free Foundation, Dr.Ingrid Visser, ex Seaworld trainer John Hargrove and an exclusive interview with with the Zoological director of Marineland franchises, Jon Kersaw.
This 2016 film can be found on Vimeo, "Drop in the ocean?" is all about Ireland and Climate change. In less than 50 years ocean life as we know it will be a thing of the past. Dead ocean. Dead ecosystem. Governments in 1990 started gathering to discuss ho to avoid global warming and reduce carbon emissions.
Planet ocean is fascinating as it does not just focus on one part of the ocean but the entire planet as an ecosystem. This 2012 documentary can be found on Vimeo. The ocean provides us with things we need to survive such as seaweed which is used in medicines, cloth, fertilizers, and food. However the fishing industry has reached capacity and the footprint of humanity is felt everywhere. This film shows the importance of how humans are the greatest threat to their own home.
This 2010 film can be found on Youtube, and covers global warming and over fishing. We still don't know much about Earth and all it has to offer but yet our earth is 2/3 water and we use that as dumping grounds for our trash. Our most important ecosystem is on the verge of collapse as our oceans are becoming emptier and emptier. We are about to face one of the biggest disasters in man kind. 90% of predatory fish and 80% of commercial fish are gone.
This 2013 film takes a look at the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, or in other words, a trash vortex in the North Pacific Ocean. This vortex was discovered between 1985 and 1988. This is essentially a collection of plastic and floating trash between Hawaii and California. This film follows Angela Sun and her personal journey to uncover the truth of the garbage patch and how severely it is effecting our ecosystem and marine mammals. Sun sheds light on one use plastic consumption and what is is doing to our oceans. This film can be found on Youtube but caution is advised, this film shows some very graphic images of dead birds and other animals.
What if...Seaworld was a place you could go to be educated on the rehabilitation of sea animals? A center that shows the process of rehabbing animals back to health. Exhibits showing rescue missions. Live on-screen releases back to the ocean.
What if...Seaworld was a place you could go to be educated on plastic reduction and ways to prevent plastic pollution in our oceans? Interactive games showing what should be recycled and where. A water ride through a polluted ocean and the effects it has on sea animals.
What if...Seaworld was filled with interactive rides that stimulate the brain and teach about how marine animals live. "Orca Encounters" but instead of Orcas performing tricks for entertainment, it's a 4D simulator ride that takes you on the journey of a pod, how they hunt and live day to day.
What if...Seaworld released their Orcas to a sanctuary and let visitors watch them from afar while they live in their ocean homes. Or had a whale tracker that tracked their whales and pods and you could follow them in real-time, on their time.
These are just a few things Seaworld could do that would make them money, get their clientele back, and make it as educational as possible. Empty the tanks and make a profit off educational experiences instead of the abuse techniques they use to teach their animals tricks.
On April 29, 2017, thousands of people rallied on the streets of Washington DC and all-around cities in America as the Trump administration takes over the US. Marchers poured in to sound off on the major threats of Earth's climate change.
"Resistance is here to stay, welcome to your 100th day."
This outcry comes out of fear for our environment, just 100 days into presidency, Trump has already signed executive orders aimed to roll back the Clean Power Plan. Not long after this, he began initiating reviews aimed at opening up protected lands and water to drilling, mining, and logging.
This week I've compiled 3 DIY mason jar ideas to upcycle your mason jars and reduce your plastic waste!
Salt and pepper shakers! These simple cute shakers will be a staple in your house AND it's super quick and easy! Find out how to make them here
Toothbrush holder! This DIY only needs 2 items, a mason jar, and chicken wire! Find out how to make this DIY here
Soap dispenser! If you use liquid soap in place of bar soap this is a simple way to spice up your bathroom counter and its plastic-free. Find out how to make this DIY here
On February 9th, 2017, rescuers flocked to a New Zealand beach after hundreds of whales were found stranded. This mass stranding is thought to be the largest mass stranding in decades with 416 pilot whales beached. As the morning went on the DOC plead for locals to drop work and school to help the whales by bringing towels, buckets, and sheets to keep them cool and wet. High tide came at 10:30am and the remaining whales that were alive were relocated to their ocean home but early afternoon 90 of the whales ended up back on the shore.
It is very common for masses of whales to beach themselves as they are social beings and never leave their pods too far behind but most are now dead. New Zealand has had 3 mass strandings in its history. An astounding 1,866 have sadly died because of these mass strandings. NZ has one of the highest stranding totals in the world with around 300 whales and dolphins beaching themselves in a year, every year. There is no known cause as to why this issue is so overwhelming and prevalent in this area but it is thought to be most injured, sick or dying whales that end up on the beaches.
Prevention is better than trying to fix something when it's too late. By recycling, you are helping the environment out tremendously, because not only are the effects of pollution and greenhouse gasses killing animals, they are slowly killing you too.
Dumping our trash into landfills is not sustainable. Our landfills can leak and contaminate soil and groundwater.
Recycling white paper creates 74% less air pollution and 35% less water pollution.
Recycling creates jobs, the recycling industry employs more than the auto industry.
Recycling saves money, and not only that but some places even pay you to recycle.
What happens to recyclables?
Glass bottles become new glass bottles.
Steel cans are used for automobile parts and construction material.
Plastic bottles are recycled into carpet, clothing, auto parts, and new bottles.
Paper is recycled into new paper.
What are the benefits of recycling?
Reduces the amount of waste sent to landfills, which in turn saves landfills from leakages of toxins.
Conserving natural resources.
Prevents pollution.
Saves energy
Reduces greenhouse gasses, which in turn helps eliminate global climate change.
It helps sustain the environment for years to come.
What are the statistics?
One ton of recycled newsprint papersaves 601 kilowatts of energy, 71 gallons of oil, 60 pounds of air pollutants, 7.000 gallons of water and 4.6 cubic yards of landfill.
One ton of recycled office paper saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, 463 gallons of oil, 3 cubic yards of landfill.
One ton of recycled plastic saves 5,774 kilowatts of energy, 16.3 barrels of oil, and 30 cubic yards of landfill.
One ton of recycled glass saves 42 kilowatts of energy, 5 gallons of oil, 7.5 pounds of air pollutants, and 2 cubic yards of landfill.
If every American recycled one-tenth of their newspapers it would save 25,000,000 trees a year.
Americans use 2,500,000 plastic bottles every hour and more than 75% are thrown away.
100,000 marine creatures die per year from plastic entanglement or digesting it.
What can I recycle?
Aluminum cans.
Aluminum foil and bakeware.
Steel and tin cans.
Cardboard.
Magazines.
Office paper.
Newspaper.
Paperboard.
Paper cardboard dairy and juice cartons.
Junk Mail.
Phone books.
Clear glass.
Brown glass.
Green glass.
Plastics.
Car batteries.
Household batteries.
Rechargeable batteries.
Incandescent and LED lights.
Compact fluorescent bulbs.
What can't be recycled?
Glass contaminated with dirt, rocks or food.
Ceramics.
Heat resistant glass.
Mirror or window glass.
Metal or plastic caps and lids.
Crystal.
How can I recycle?
Call a recycling pick up service
Use a recycling service like Clynk
Reduce and reuse (Pinterest is a great tool for DIY)
Salt and pepper shakers! These simple cute shakers will be a staple in your house AND it's super quick and easy! Find out how to make them 
Toothbrush holder! This DIY only needs 2 items, a mason jar, and chicken wire! Find out how to make this DIY 
Soap dispenser! If you use liquid soap in place of bar soap this is a simple way to spice up your bathroom counter and its plastic-free. Find out how to make this DIY 
