Looking more closely at the anthrosphere part of the relationship, there are two primary groups of people a part of the multi-billion shark trade industry - the suppliers and the consumers. The suppliers include fishers, buyers, and traders. It is estimated that the number of sharks killed for their fins increased from around 38 million per year in 2000 to over 100 million per year currently. The fishers normally harvest the shark fins out in the ocean and sell them to buyers for a high price. The impact of shark finning on suppliers is the huge amount of money they make based on the continuous demand for shark fins averaging about $400 USD per kilogram or $880 USD per pound.
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| Source: AP Photo/Paul Sakuma |
What about the consumers? Many consumers are willing to pay a fortune for shark fins, but many consumers are also unaware of the health consequences that come with consuming them. Recent studies show that there is a dangerous amount of BMAA also known as beta-N-methylamino-L-alanine and mercury in sharks. Because sharks are at the top of the food chain in the ocean, they accumulate large amounts of BMAA and mercury while feeding on smaller fish and organisms. Naturally, when people eat sharks through popular dishes like shark fin soup, they ingest the BMAA and mercury resulting in serious health issues. Scientists believe that BMAA and mercury are causes of neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s in which the toxins attack the proteins in the brain. More people are becoming aware of the dangerous effects from consuming shark fins, but not enough publicity on the issue is present to stop the majority of consumers from purchasing them.
