Help ban the sale of shark fins in Australia

Millions of sharks around the world suffer a prolonged and painful death for a mere bowl of soup -- shark fin soup. With the fins being the only 'valuable' parts of their bodies, fishermen are often known to cut off sharks' fins while the animals are still alive and then dump their bodies overboard. Unable to swim, mortally injured sharks sink to the ocean floor where they slowly drown or are eaten alive.

Shark fin soup is a popular traditional Asian dish that is now widely available in Australian restaurants. But the cruelty, combined with the fact that the fins have no flavour and virtually no nutritional value, has even convinced world famous chef Gordon Ramsay to campaign against the dish being served in restaurants.

Finning at sea is illegal in Australia -- where laws require fisherman to bring the whole shark to shore. But these laws are hard to police and in many parts of the world sharks have no protection at all.

The most effective way to protect sharks from cruelty and extinction is to stop the demand for shark fins with a sales ban. Please help us call on Environment Minister Tony Burke to introduce a ban on the sale of shark fins in Australia.

Take Action!

Subject: (please enter a subject line) Dear Minister Burke, (please edit the letter below, or send as-is) Shark finning is a cruel industry which has devastating effects on shark populations and ocean eco systems around the world. Millions of sharks have their fins cut off whilst still alive and their bodies are dumped back into the ocean. The demand for shark fins and shark fin soup are the primary causes of shark population decline and many species are already endangered. I am aware that it is illegal in Australia to remove the fins of sharks at sea, but shark fishing remains an unethical industry and illegal shark finning occurs in Australian territorial waters due to the law being difficult to police. The only effective way to protect sharks from cruelty and extinction is to ban the sale of shark fins in Australia. I therefore urge you to introduce legislation to this effect. Sincerely, Your Name

We will send this e-mail to:

• The Hon Tony Burke, Minister for the Environment

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