My Fin My Life

by Neila Maryam. 

Every morning you have the Sun pierce through the curtains to welcome a new day. Your vagabond limbs, lost between the warmth of the sheets lets you feel the Godly sensation of touch. Meanwhile, the adventurous shark roams through the blue blankets of the sea guided by his noble limbs. But by the first sight of light through the vague ripple of the water, the silent brush of the tide becomes a loud prayer in fear of another reaping day. Above waters, diligent men march towards the edge of the infinite sea. A mass dumping of dead sharks is a symbol of celebration as their daily bread is measured off the weight of their buckets full of the severed Shark fins. While they parade back to shore, the horrified shark witnesses an unceremonious funeral of its own mother. One day you will wake up in fear of devastation as the cycle shifts towards world’s greatest predator; human beings. At the point when sharks are gone, our fisheries stock, marine biological community and nourishment security will crumple – and before you know it, our survival as well.

First impressions do show that our shark friends aren’t very friendly to us. However, it is unfortunate that many of us are ignorant to the role of sharks in ocean life as they; keep populations of fish healthy by eating weak fish to prevent potential outbreak of diseases; stabilize the marine ecosystems as they also maintain the health of coral reefs; protect vital sea habitats; and even prevent climate change. In the changing state of society, sharks are often seen as a business opportunity. At least 100 million are killed per year, hence placing Malaysia 9^th in the world’s Top 20 shark catchers within a decade (2000 – 2010).

WWF-Malaysia’s My Fin My Life campaign aims to reverse the present situation of shark fin utilization in Malaysia by connecting with the public and organizations to garner commitments not to expend shark fin soup and products. The campaign is working hard:

1. To sensitize 20,000 restaurants;
2. To engage 1,000,000 Malaysians; and
3. To get commitment from 500 businesses. 

The ban of shark finning could jeopardize income flow in the F&B industry due to the high demand of a traditional Chinese delicacy, shark fin soup. Aware of this problem is WWF-Malaysia, who addressed the concerns of people in the industry at a recent business dialogue that brought up a bated discussion on shark fin ban, whilst upholding the humane need to stop the illicit activity. 

My Fin My Life KK Business Dialogue 2016 © WWF-Malaysia/Mazidi Ghani

 The exchange of views concerned the decline in business as the demand of shark fin soup has been well known for the past years. Shangri-La hotels are notably one of the fin-free supporters who removed shark fin soup from their menus and replaced the dish with a variety of alternatives. Surely, those still concerned are open to a wide range of substitutes as well. In East Malaysia, preserving sharks in their habitat generated RM32.3million in the tourism sector as 55,000 divers from all around the world travel to the marine paradise of Semporna Island to see the sharks. In that sense, both sides of the argument is assured that the halt to shark finning will not crumble the country’s economy, but rather bring it to greater heights.

Datuk Masidi Manjun with the speakers and fin-free hotel supporters © WWF-Malaysia/Mazidi Ghani

In spite of that, the endeavor is regrettably still far-fetched as My Fin My Life still needs your help to pledge fin-free. The public’s compassionate support to turn around the popular perception on shark fin is of paramount importance as it unanimously topples the sinful act against nature. And on that day again will you taste an absolute beautiful morning as gifted to everyone else, including our beloved sharks below the ocean.

WWF-Malaysia’s mission does not only comprise of saving sharks and other environmental life but consequently our own lives as well, and eventually, the world. The joint effort of everyone regardless of age, belief, or colour, is frankly the most essential need for survival. My Fin My Life are four words that call for humanity much louder than it sounds; telling us that our own lives depend on the lives of others, or in this case - our sea predator friends, and vice versa.

Save sharks, save us.

Be a shark hero and

sign the pledge at

myfinmylife.com