The Bahamas: Eden for Sharks?

The Bahamian sharks need to be protected from reckless fishermen and Chinese "gourmets"!

A tiger and a wolf in perfect harmony as captured by Manuel Lazcano (Bahamas, 2009).

Click on image

Back in March 2007 there was no need to add a question mark to how the National Geographic Magazine described the Bahamian archipelago in its main feature.

At that time nobody would have even dreamt that this Eden for sharks could ever become a hunting ground for a reckless Bahamian seafood company to satisfy its Chinese clients' demand for shark fins.

After reading the National Geographic Magazine article you will understand why so many shark conservationists - organizations and concerned individuals - are totally OUTRAGED about the nightmarish thought of exterminating the Bahamian sharks so that wealthy Chinese can eat shark fin soup.

Shark fin soup is a very costly dish the Chinese consider not just a mere delicacy but a social privilege not to be challenged by "foreigners" who have no respect for ancient "cultural" traditions...

Here is the National Geographic Magazine article.

We need the Bahamian sharks - badly!!

Some 40 years ago I was a press and PR officer of the second largest German investment fund company. The first lessons I learned there were: 1) PR begins at home, and 2) you don't wait for the media to contact you - you go out to get them interested in what you have to say.


Which is precisely what I did one week ago, when I approached Mike Alexiou, a good old Bahamian friend of mine, asking him to put me in touch with the editorial board of the most prestigious and oldest Bahamian newspaper, The Nassau Guardian (est. 1844).


Luckily, the Guardian's Managing Director, Erica Wells, was very interested to publish an article about the mortal danger the Bahamian sharks are facing these days, a subject that alarmed local and international conservationist associations as well as recreational divers from all over the world.

Dr. Samuel Gruber, Professor Emeritus of the University of Miami, the famous "Doc", and Jill M. Hepp, Manager of Global Shark Conservation at the PEW Charitable Trusts, supplied me with most valuable and current information on the subject of shark conservation in the Bahamas.

If this PR action will help enhancing awareness of the plight of the sharks in the Bahamas, it will be due to "Doc's" and Jill's input, and, of course, to Erica Well's mastership of the journalistic craft.


Here is what Erica wrote on October 4, 2010:

To be able to read the article, click on images - once enlarged, click on them again.

Save the Bahamian Garden of Eden for Sharks

Below is a link to a petition (requires 5,000 signatures) to the banning of fishing for sharks in the Bahamas.  Sure - many wonder do petitions have any effect - I myself am not sure...however, I still sign them.  It requires little effort and you can easily pass it to your friends.


So, having said that please go ahead and sign it:


http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/ban-the-slaughter-of-sharks-in-all-of-the-bahamian-waters-slaughter-of-sharks-in-all-of-the-bahamian


Thanks 

Lost Generation

This may have nothing to do with sharks directly, but it has everything to do with them...the video below was created for the AARP U@50 video contest and placed second.  Generation Y is more concerned about global issues, particularly the environment, than we think.  They are growing up in a time where words like green, environment, sustainability are part of their everyday vocabulary (unlike older generations)... 

Video has a great twist - watch until the end.

An Eden for Sharks, not Competitors

Tiger Shark - Photo by Brian Skerry

You may all remember the National Geographic story: "An Eden for Sharks" (March 2007 issue) written by Jennifer S. Holland and featuring photos by Brian Skerry. I just finished watching a slide show narrated by Brian - what got me to post about him were not just his stunning images, but what he said about shark feeding / interactions.

Says Brian: "Is shark feeding a good thing? - I will leave that up to other people todebate but I certainly think that in this transitional period it is a heck of a lot better to having sharks being fed and appreciated and alive than being killed"

Listen to the complete slide show - it is a very positive message...

This also made me think about Sea Stewards somewhat critical comment on the "Gimme A Hug" video. It is just a constant reminder of BIG egos prevailing over the basic mission, and this was a blatant example of how "colleagues" and industry "peers" really see one another first and foremost - as business competitors even though the others' work is for the benefit of the cause.