Who says kids can’t make a difference?
Per a local Massachusetts news report—a nine-year-old boy has proposed a piece of legislation, in hopes of banning the practice of shark-finning!
In case you are not aware, of the atrocity known as shark finning, here is a brief explanation, per wikipedia:
“Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of shark fins while the remainder of the living shark is discarded in the ocean. Sharks returned to the ocean without their fins are often still alive; unable to move effectively, they sink to the bottom of the ocean and die of suffocation or are eaten by other predators…Shark finning increased since 1997 largely due to the increasing demand for shark fins for shark fin soup… Particularly in China and its territories, and as a result of improved fishing technology and market economics.”
It’s a terrible, cruel practice.
So what motivated the young Sean Lesniak to propose his piece of legislation?
According to the aforementioned news report:
“I started watching Shark Week and I started getting very interested in them and I found out that they were getting finned and I wanted to do something about it.”
How cool is that?
And guess what else the sweet nine-year-old did to encourage lawmakers to protect his favorite animal? He brought them stuffed sharks!
If Sean’s bill becomes legislation, it would essentially ban the import, the sale, the trade or the possession of shark fins. Yay!
Relephant:
Who’s Afraid of the Big, bad Sharks?
Gordon Ramsey on Shark Fin Soup.
Oscar Winning Filmmakers bust Endangered Species Slaughter House.
Love elephant and want to go steady?
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Editor: Catherine Monkman
Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Wiki Commons Shark Fins
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