Time for New Zealand to stop shark finning

It is time for the New Zealand Government to ban shark finning in our waters, said the New Zealand Shark Alliance today.

“It is a senseless waste to be killing sharks just for their fins and dumping their bodies. The Government needs to do the right thing and stop this happening in New Zealand,” says Milena Palka WWF-NZ Marine Species Advocate.

The Government is about to release its National Plan for Action on Sharks for public consultation. It will set out a plan for sharks for the next five years, and Ms Palka says it is crucial that it commits to a ban on shark finning.

Shark Awareness Week starts today, it will feature a series of events that focus on the vital role sharks play in maintaining the healthy balance of the world's oceans, the need for improved shark conservation in New Zealand, including a ban on shark finning.

A massive mural is currently being painted by street artists BMD in central Wellington to highlight the issue. It will be approximately 50m long and 6m high, and will feature the estimated 190 sharks that die every minute. It is located on on Cable Street (on the car park wall across from Waitangi Park.)

"Sharks often make the headlines for the wrong reasons. However, rather than being a threat many species of shark are under threat themselves," 

Around the world about 270,000 sharks are killed every day – many just for their fins. This practice has been banned by almost 100 countries and states but is still legal in New Zealand.

“That's got to stop. Globally, shark finning is threatening the survival of many species of shark. It is time for New Zealand to catch up, and show that it really is clean and green,” added Ms Palka.

Shark Awareness Week is being organised by the New Zealand Shark Alliance – a coalition of organisations that are working together to promote awareness of sharks and the need to end shark finning. As well as public talks there will be hands on activities and singer Jamie McDell will swim with the Sharks at Kelly Tarlton's Sealife Aquarium, in Auckland.

Katrina Subedar, Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate says, “Shark Awareness Week is a great opportunity for people to learn more about all the sharks that call New Zealand home.

“We have a series of events aimed at raising awareness of sharks, and the research that is happening here to learn to better manage and protect sharks living in our waters,” says Ms Subedar.

The New Zealand Shark Alliance is made up of Greenpeace, Forest & Bird, WWF, ECO, Sea Shepard  Our Seas Our Future, White Shark Conservation Trust, New Zealand Underwater, Shark Fin Free Auckland, ITM Fishing show, Kelly Tarlton’s, and Earthrace.

For more information -

A full schedule of Shark Awareness Week events is available at http://www.nzsharkalliance.org.nz/Events.php

Auckland

Want to learn more about great white sharks

Where: Atrium, Auckland Museum, Auckland Domain

When: From 6.30pm (talk starts start at 7.30pm)Wednesday, 11th Septembe

What: Shark researchers Dr Tom Trnski and Clinton Duffy will talk about their work with great white sharks.

Shark SO

Where: Kelly Tarlton's SEALIFE Aquarium, 23 Tamaki Drive, Orakei, Aucklan

When:  From 10 am Saturday, 14th Septembe

What: Come and see Jamie McDell, NZ singer and Shark Week ambassador,  swim with sharks at 10am. Afterwards Jamie will talk about what sharks mean to her and how she is helping to raise awareness of marine conservation issues.

Wellington

The underwater world of shark

Where: At the Soundings Theatre, Te Papa Museu

When: 5:30-9:00pm (Talks start at 6:00pm) Thursday, 12th September

What: Come and hear Dr Malcolm Francis (NIWA) and Andrew Stewart (Te Papa), discuss shark biology, taxonomy, research, mythology, and conservation.

Shark meet-and-gree

Where: Island Bay Marine Education Centre,  212 The Esplanade, Island Bay

When:  Open from 10:00am-3:00pm, Sunday, 15th September

What: Come see NZ sharks up close and personal, and learn more about the conservation issues they face.  Displays will include live sharks, a touch gently pool, "fish of the week", and preserved specimens. Scientists, experts, and shark ambassadors will be in attendance throughout the day to answer any of your questions.

Christchurch

The truth about sharks

Where: Room S2, Paenga Tawhiti Highschool, Parkstone Ave,

When: 7:00pm Friday, 13th September.

What:  Peter Langlands will give a talk about shark conservation in NZ.

ENDS

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