Sharkwater

Last class we mentioned some of the ridiculous decadent delicacies our human species consume, such as shark fin soup. Well, estimates are that the shark populations have decreased by 90% (mostly from illegal fishing), and will surely become extinct if the market in southeast Asia continues to demand shark fins for medicinals (which is more of a superstition than a scientific proven ailment) and shark fin soup (popular at weddings and among the highest classes in southeast Asia)t. Sharks are 400 million years old, the second oldest mammal next to the whale I believe. The role they play in the universe and on our earth cannot be known for sure, but one obvious problem that will/has arisen with their decrease will be the decrease of oxygen on our planet. Eliminate sharks and the fish they consume multiply, and these fish consume more phytoplankton... which gives the planet the majority of it's oxygen. I highly recommend checking out this film, Sharkwater, as it reveals the cruelity towards sharks caused by a fairly new market for their fins, that has decimated 90% of the shark population. They are captured mostly illegally by the hundreds and nothing is used save their fins.