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 9th
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:
- To sensitize 20,000 restaurants;
- To engage 1,000,000 Malaysians; and
- 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
|
 |
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
Comments
Post a Comment