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UK restaurants serving extinction

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British restaurant goers ordering shark fin soup are highly likely to be consuming endangered shark species without knowing, according to Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation.

The UK charity is advising diners to avoid all shark fin dishes after DNA research by Exeter University discovered shark fins from endangered scalloped hammerhead and threatened shortfin mako sharks among generically-labelled shark fin products on sale at an Asian food wholesaler. The fins were destined for the restaurant trade.

Once the fins are removed from the shark, dehydrated and packaged it is extremely difficult to know which species they came from.

Campaign director at Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation, Graham Buckingham, said: “We’re making huge strides in shark conservation but the continued appearance of shark fin soup on menus confounds us. Out of the 10 fins analysed by the university, two came from species that are either endangered or threatened. Clearly anyone ordering shark fin soup, or buying the ingredient, could be contributing to the extinction of rare and majestic sharks. It’s time that British restaurants ditched this highly controversial dish.”

Carcasses of finned sharks on the seabed, South East Asia. Image: Scubazoo

In recent years shark fins have become one of the most valuable seafood items in the world. Demand for shark fin soup is a primary reason for the slaughter of around 73 million sharks by global fishing fleets every year. Bite-Back likens the hunting of sharks for fins to a marine ‘gold rush’.  The rarity of the shark determines the price of its fins.

Wildlife expert and TV presenter Steve Backshall is the patron of Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation. He said: “Right now one in four shark species is listed as endangered or threatened. It’s clear that demand for shark fin soup could wipe out many of the ocean’s most remarkable and fascinating predators. This DNA research is all the evidence you need to know that it’s simply not okay to eat shark fin soup.”

Since 2004 Bite-Back’s campaign has helped prompt an 81% decline in the number of restaurants serving shark fin soup in the UK including the country’s only Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant, Hakkasan. However there are still at least a dozen establishments across the country serving the controversial dish.

The charity is campaigning to rid Britain of all shark products by 2022.

For more information about Bite-Back please visit their website by clicking here.

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GEAR REVIEW: JOBY SeaPal Underwater Housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy (Watch Video)

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JOBY SeaPal

In a video shot exclusively for Scubaverse.com, Jeff Goodman reviews the JOBY SeaPal underwater housing for iPhone and Samsung Galaxy phones.

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Four opportunities to go pro in 2024 with Dive Friends Bonaire

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Dive Friends teaches the Instructor Development Course (IDC) several times a year to students who are eager to share their passion for diving with the world.

Dive Friends is known for the personal approach throughout the course. Their in-house course director will lead the students through every essential step, mentoring them to achieve their fullest potential as a dive instructor.

Applications for the following IDC start dates are now open:

  • 12 April
  • 5 July,
  • 20 September
  • 29 November

Partnership with Casita Palma

If the student opts for the IDC-Deluxe or IDC-Supreme package, their accommodation will be arranged for them at Casita Palma. This small and quiet resort is within walking distance from Dive Friends Bonaire’s main dive shop location and has everything you need to relax after an intense day of IDC training. Breakfast is included, so the student will always be fuelled and ready for their day.

Contact Dive Friends Bonaire’s Course Director Eddy for more information: coursedirector@divefriendsbonaire.com.

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