A recent paper published by the scientific journal Marine Policy estimated that 100 million sharks are killed per year (the paper said the number could be as high as 270 million).
If you’re wondering, sharks kill about 12 people per year.
The main culprit is the black market for shark fins in China and the surrounding territories, where shark fin soup is a delicacy and shark fins are often believed to have mystical healing powers.
Photo: reefs.com
Most “finned” sharks are thrown back into the ocean, where they are unable to properly maneuver. They either sink to the ocean floor and suffocate or are eaten by other predators.
If you break down 100 million annual deaths, it gives you about 11,417 sharks killed every hour (more than 190 sharks every minute).
This infographic from Joe Chernov and Robin Richards at Adventure Journal illustrates these staggering numbers better than any words ever could. (Click to enlarge)
Read more from The Huffington Post here. Also, check out this chart showing the countries that export the most shark fins to Hong Kong.
Reblogged this on "OUR WORLD".
Reblogged this on idealisticrebel and commented:
This is horrifying!
Agreed. So many people are completely unaware- I’ll admit I didn’t realize just how bad the situation was until I found this graphic. Hoping that awareness will help!
Post any other articles you find. We will keep this in front of people. Hugs, Barbara
Will do!
very terrible , protect and save their ecosystem , no shark fin soup thanks