So exciting!
Keep up to date and reach out to your local representative to tell them you support this initiative!
WORKING FOR THE EFFECTIVE CONSERVATION OF VIRGINIA'S SHARKS AND TO BAN FIN POSSESSION IN ALBERTA
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Follow the progress of the proposed VA ban here...
http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+sum+HB1159
So exciting!
Keep up to date and reach out to your local representative to tell them you support this initiative!
So exciting!
Keep up to date and reach out to your local representative to tell them you support this initiative!
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Things are Happening... in Virginia!
Hello!
HOUSE BILL NO. 1159 Offered January 16, 2012 A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 28.2-303.1, relating to the possession or sale of shark fins; penalty.---------- Patron-- Sickles ---------- Committee Referral Pending ----------
The link is: http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?121+ful+HB1159
When we started our Virginia initiative just under 1 year ago, we had high hopes but were of course slightly apprehensive about taking on what seemed to be a monumental task without much experience. Luckily, our campaign was adopted by the Humane Society of the United States... and the rest, as they say, is history. The wonderful folks at the HSUS in Virginia have simply been incredible to work with and so supportive. The fact that Democratic Delegate Mark Sickles was willing to serve as patron for this bill and introduce it so quickly is beyond what we could have hoped for.
With that said, it is time to re-double our efforts, regroup and focus on assisting the HSUS in the process of getting this legislation passed.
It is time to bring this essential measure to protect sharks to Virginia, and we here at All Fins Attached are committed to doing all we can to make that happen.
I know, I know... it has been quite a while since we last updated our blog and let all of you know how our efforts are moving along in both Alberta, Canada, and Virginia, U.S.A.
Part of the reason that the blog has fallen off is that these initiatives have been moving along at an accelerated pace, and the time that we have devoted to furthering our objective of effective shark conservation has been devoted to substantive efforts.
Enough said! We are back!
What better way to start the new year than with the announcement that a bill to ban the possession of shark fins has been tabled in the Virginia General Assembly!
The text reads as follows:
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Virginia:
1. That the Code of Virginia is amended by adding a section numbered 28.2-303.1 as follows:
§ 28.2-303.1. Possession or sale of shark fin prohibited; penalty.
A. As used in this section, "shark fin" means the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached fin, or the raw, dried, or otherwise processed detached tail, of an elasmobranch.
B. Except as otherwise provided in subsection C or D, it shall be unlawful for any person to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute a shark fin.
C. Any person who holds a license or permit issued by the Commissioner to take or land sharks for recreational or commercial purposes may possess a shark fin or fins consistent with that license or permit.
D. Before January 1, 2013, any restaurant that possessed a shark fin as of January 1, 2012, may possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute that shark fin if it is prepared for consumption.
E. A violation of this section is a Class 1 misdemeanor.
When we started our Virginia initiative just under 1 year ago, we had high hopes but were of course slightly apprehensive about taking on what seemed to be a monumental task without much experience. Luckily, our campaign was adopted by the Humane Society of the United States... and the rest, as they say, is history. The wonderful folks at the HSUS in Virginia have simply been incredible to work with and so supportive. The fact that Democratic Delegate Mark Sickles was willing to serve as patron for this bill and introduce it so quickly is beyond what we could have hoped for.
With that said, it is time to re-double our efforts, regroup and focus on assisting the HSUS in the process of getting this legislation passed.
It is time to bring this essential measure to protect sharks to Virginia, and we here at All Fins Attached are committed to doing all we can to make that happen.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
Congratulations California!
California's Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill to ban the sale, trade and possession of fins!!!
Huffington Post Article
New York Times Article
Huffington Post Article
New York Times Article
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
YEAH! Working with the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society International
It is with GREAT excitement today that I write this blog post!
Upon initiating our journey to introduce new legislation in the state of Virginia some 6 months ago, both Stacee and I realized that to accomplish our goals we were going to need the assistance of some pretty awesome people and organizations. What we could not have expected, is that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society International (HSI) would agree to help us with our cause!!!
I know, so exciting right?!
For those of you who may not be too familiar with these organizations, let me take you on a brief educational tangent...
1) The HSUS:
The best way to introduce you to the HSUS is essentially by letting them introduce themselves:
"The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond."
...
The Mission Statement of the HSUS is titled "Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelties" and ends on this promising note... "Our track record of effectiveness has led to meaningful victories for animals in Congress, state legislatures, courtrooms and corporate boardrooms."
For more information see: http://www.humanesociety.org/about/overview/
For the HSUS position on shark conservation see: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/sharks/
2) The HSI:
"Humane Society International is one of the only international animal protection organizations in the world working to protect all animals—including animals in laboratories, farm animals, companion animals, and wildlife—and our record of achievement demonstrates our dedication and effectiveness."
The HSI has had incredible success literally around the world through various campaigns and initiatives, on everything from the dog fur trade in China to annual attendance at the meeting of the International Whaling Commission. They strive to provide "local empowerment" through education, awareness and assistance, "disaster services" in response to natural catastrophies, and also work towards limiting the harmful impact of "policy & trade" in wildlife.
For more information please visit: http://www.hsi.org/about/how_we_work/
All told, and in short, these organizations ROCK!
We can't wait to learn from them, assist them in any way we can, and work towards getting legislation to ban the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state of Virginia passed!
Upon initiating our journey to introduce new legislation in the state of Virginia some 6 months ago, both Stacee and I realized that to accomplish our goals we were going to need the assistance of some pretty awesome people and organizations. What we could not have expected, is that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) and the Humane Society International (HSI) would agree to help us with our cause!!!
I know, so exciting right?!
For those of you who may not be too familiar with these organizations, let me take you on a brief educational tangent...
1) The HSUS:
The best way to introduce you to the HSUS is essentially by letting them introduce themselves:
"The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest and most effective animal protection organization—backed by 11 million Americans, or one in every 28. Established in 1954, The HSUS seeks a humane and sustainable world for all animals—a world that will also benefit people. We are America's mainstream force against cruelty, exploitation and neglect, as well as the most trusted voice extolling the human-animal bond."
...
The Mission Statement of the HSUS is titled "Celebrating Animals, Confronting Cruelties" and ends on this promising note... "Our track record of effectiveness has led to meaningful victories for animals in Congress, state legislatures, courtrooms and corporate boardrooms."
For more information see: http://www.humanesociety.org/about/overview/
For the HSUS position on shark conservation see: http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/sharks/
2) The HSI:
"Humane Society International is one of the only international animal protection organizations in the world working to protect all animals—including animals in laboratories, farm animals, companion animals, and wildlife—and our record of achievement demonstrates our dedication and effectiveness."
The HSI has had incredible success literally around the world through various campaigns and initiatives, on everything from the dog fur trade in China to annual attendance at the meeting of the International Whaling Commission. They strive to provide "local empowerment" through education, awareness and assistance, "disaster services" in response to natural catastrophies, and also work towards limiting the harmful impact of "policy & trade" in wildlife.
For more information please visit: http://www.hsi.org/about/how_we_work/
All told, and in short, these organizations ROCK!
We can't wait to learn from them, assist them in any way we can, and work towards getting legislation to ban the sale, trade, and possession of shark fins in the state of Virginia passed!
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Tragedies in the Seychelles...
Firstly, let me say that any time there is a loss of life, it is important to approach an issue with empathy and caution. The last thing that I intend to do is disrespect or dishonour the two men who were killed in the Seychelles in the last month.
With this said, I believe it is still important to address the outcome of the situation and what is currently happening in the aftermath of the attacks.
When I first read the story of the most recent attack through the French AFP, I noted right off the bat that the article misquoted shark attacks statistics which are collected and disseminated by the International Shark Attack File through the Florida Museum of Natural History. Specifically, it cited 79 fatal attacks in 2010 with a 25% increase in fatal attacks since 2009. The mistake here is that there were 79 attacks IN TOTAL in 2010 with only 6 fatalities, a 0% increase in fatalities from 2009. I quickly alerted the Edmonton Journal about this mistake, and to their credit they sent a note to AFP. About 2 hours later an updated story was posted on the internet.
This event is simply one incident in what is proving to be an unfortunate chain reaction following the attacks. Specifically, the Seychelles has quickly become something like Amity during the summer out of the fictional pages form Jaws. And, equally horrifying is that the Seychelles, in a move that appears to be sanctioned by the Seychelles Tourism Board (like in Jaws).
Unfortunately the sharks that the local fishermen will be hauling in as they attempt to locate the supposed "rough shark" that is foreign to the waters around Seychelles. Anyone who knows anything about sharks knows that this conception of a man-eater is not true, and that sharks, as ocean wanderers, will follow their food. Take for instance the Great White Shark recently caught in the fishing weir off of Canada's east coast; with global climate change and altered circulation patterns, expect sharks to travel differently more frequently.
This reaction is a kin to sanctioning a slaughter of many bears simply because one bear attacked one human. It just does not make any sense. Perhaps the best response would be to keep swimmers out of the ocean for a couple of weeks, monitor the beaches, and see if this shark moves on? Or, maybe examine the human causes for why the shark might now be attracted to this area?
Just thoughts.
Once again, my deepest sympathy for the families of the deceased. I just hope that reason will prevail in this situation and future shark human-shark interactions.
For more see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14600727
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14552788
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/16/seychelles-shark-attack-honeymoon
http://news.yahoo.com/seychelles-shark-attack-carolina-locals-worried-175200163.html
http://abcnews.go.com/News/shark-attack-creates-honeymoon-horror-british-couple/story?id=14324504
With this said, I believe it is still important to address the outcome of the situation and what is currently happening in the aftermath of the attacks.
When I first read the story of the most recent attack through the French AFP, I noted right off the bat that the article misquoted shark attacks statistics which are collected and disseminated by the International Shark Attack File through the Florida Museum of Natural History. Specifically, it cited 79 fatal attacks in 2010 with a 25% increase in fatal attacks since 2009. The mistake here is that there were 79 attacks IN TOTAL in 2010 with only 6 fatalities, a 0% increase in fatalities from 2009. I quickly alerted the Edmonton Journal about this mistake, and to their credit they sent a note to AFP. About 2 hours later an updated story was posted on the internet.
This event is simply one incident in what is proving to be an unfortunate chain reaction following the attacks. Specifically, the Seychelles has quickly become something like Amity during the summer out of the fictional pages form Jaws. And, equally horrifying is that the Seychelles, in a move that appears to be sanctioned by the Seychelles Tourism Board (like in Jaws).
Unfortunately the sharks that the local fishermen will be hauling in as they attempt to locate the supposed "rough shark" that is foreign to the waters around Seychelles. Anyone who knows anything about sharks knows that this conception of a man-eater is not true, and that sharks, as ocean wanderers, will follow their food. Take for instance the Great White Shark recently caught in the fishing weir off of Canada's east coast; with global climate change and altered circulation patterns, expect sharks to travel differently more frequently.
This reaction is a kin to sanctioning a slaughter of many bears simply because one bear attacked one human. It just does not make any sense. Perhaps the best response would be to keep swimmers out of the ocean for a couple of weeks, monitor the beaches, and see if this shark moves on? Or, maybe examine the human causes for why the shark might now be attracted to this area?
Just thoughts.
Once again, my deepest sympathy for the families of the deceased. I just hope that reason will prevail in this situation and future shark human-shark interactions.
For more see:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14600727
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14552788
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2011/aug/16/seychelles-shark-attack-honeymoon
http://news.yahoo.com/seychelles-shark-attack-carolina-locals-worried-175200163.html
http://abcnews.go.com/News/shark-attack-creates-honeymoon-horror-british-couple/story?id=14324504
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Congratulations Oregon!!
We would really like to applaud the state of Oregon, and their Governor John Kitzhaber, for signing into law a ban on the sale, trade, or possession of shark fins (H.B. 2838)!!!
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/shark-finning-ban-oregon.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/greenspace/2011/08/shark-finning-ban-oregon.html
Saturday, August 6, 2011
Shark Week--You Build Me Up Only to Let Me Down
Christmas comes but once a year, right?
Well, if you are a shark fanatic like us, Discovery Channel drops some mid-summer fun onto our televisions in Shark Week! We have all seen images of air-borne sharks made famous by Shark Week, and if you are reading this blog then undoubtedly you have tuned in to Shark Week yourself.
At the start of this shark week, I tweeted the following:
Unfortunately, my hope that it would emphasize shark education and conservation amongst the normal mayhem did not materialize. Sure, the Shark Week website has a video on shark conservation and sure the website says the right things, but check out the TV schedule appended to the bottom of this post as described on the Discovery Channel website.
It is unfortunate, to me, that carnage and mayhem has remained the focus of this week and that words like "Invasion", "JAWS", "Rogue", "Killer","Eaten Alive" are the words used to summarize the shows; especially in a time when innovative conservation is attempting to save sharks from senseless slaughter.
Maybe next year?
Well, if you are a shark fanatic like us, Discovery Channel drops some mid-summer fun onto our televisions in Shark Week! We have all seen images of air-borne sharks made famous by Shark Week, and if you are reading this blog then undoubtedly you have tuned in to Shark Week yourself.
At the start of this shark week, I tweeted the following:
AllFinsAttached Cameron Jefferies
Here's hoping #SharkWeek is as exciting as ever; most importantly that it emphasizes shark realities rather than mythical mayhem.
Unfortunately, my hope that it would emphasize shark education and conservation amongst the normal mayhem did not materialize. Sure, the Shark Week website has a video on shark conservation and sure the website says the right things, but check out the TV schedule appended to the bottom of this post as described on the Discovery Channel website.
It is unfortunate, to me, that carnage and mayhem has remained the focus of this week and that words like "Invasion", "JAWS", "Rogue", "Killer","Eaten Alive" are the words used to summarize the shows; especially in a time when innovative conservation is attempting to save sharks from senseless slaughter.
Maybe next year?
SHARK WEEK 2011: TV Shows
Sunday, July 31, through Friday, August 5
Shark Week 2011 will feature live co-viewing for iPad, iPhone and web users.
 | GREAT WHITE INVASION Premiering Sunday, July 31, 9PM e/p Great white sharks, in large numbers, are now suddenly being found swimming among surfers and vacationers just off beaches from South Africa to Australia, and up and down the coast of California. Just why they're there and just what they're doing is a mystery that Chris Fallows and an international team of sharks scientists are trying to figure out. | ||
| PHOTOS: Great White Invasion | VIDEO: The Shark Tube | ||
| VIDEO: Diving With Great Whites | VIDEO: Paddling With a Shark | ||
| VIDEO: Sunbathing Shark | |||
 | JAWS COMES HOME Premiering Sunday, July 31, 10PM e/p Jaws Comes Home tells the story of passionate shark expert and U.S. Fisheries scientist, Greg Skomal, as he documents six remarkable months following five great whites with names like Curly and Ruthless. His mission: to understand more about their recently discovered, 1,200-mile journey up and down the eastern seaboard and to reveal all he can about these much-maligned hunters. | ||
| PHOTOS: Jaws Comes Home | VIDEO: Jaws Comes Home | ||
| VIDEO: Great White Slam Dance | VIDEO: Tagging a Ruthless Shark | ||
| VIDEO: Chasing a Great White | |||
 | ROGUE SHARKS Premiering Monday, August 1, 9PM e/p It was the central premise of the hit movie Jaws that still haunts people today: that certain sharks may "go rogue" and decide to go after humans. But does the science back this up? In this hour, we'll weave stories of some of the most horrific shark attacks in history with the larger scientific detective story of whether or not individual sharks ever develop a taste for human flesh and go Rogue. | ||
| PHOTOS: Rogue Sharks | VIDEO: Shark Won't Let Go | ||
| VIDEO: Very First Shark Cage | VIDEO: Rogue Sharks | ||
| VIDEO: Surfer Girl Attacked | |||
 | SUMMER OF THE SHARK Premiering Monday, August 1, 10PM e/p In the summer of 2008 an unprecedented wave of shark attacks sweeps the eastern coast of Australia. Australian shark experts and fishery managers scramble to understand what is happening. Could it be that that the gradual dwindling of the sharks' natural prey due to overfishing has brought man to the top of the shark's food chain? Will the summer of 2008 be a prelude of things to come? | ||
| PHOTOS: Summer of the Shark | VIDEO: Stalked By a Shark | ||
| VIDEO: Tasmanian Shark Attack | VIDEO: Shark Bites Surfer's Leg | ||
| VIDEO: Shark Attack in Sydney Harbor | |||
 | KILLER SHARKS Premiering Tuesday, August 2, 9PM e/p December 1957: the height of tourist season in South Africa. Merry vacationers from around the globe descend on an idyllic resort town along the sunny coast to enjoy the summer. It's not long until the white sands are clogged with dead bodies and the sapphire waters are red with blood. The culprit? The authorities suspected a single, massive rogue shark with a taste for human flesh. | ||
| PHOTOS: Killer Sharks | VIDEO: Go Out Further! | ||
| VIDEO: Scary Cage Dive | VIDEO: Killer Day at the Beach | ||
| VIDEO: Viciously Attacked | |||
 | HOW SHARKS HUNT Premiering Wednesday, August 3, 9PM e/p Dave and Cody of Dual Survival dive in to investigate why no two species of shark attack in the same manner. Through a series of groundbreaking tests and the use of innovative high-tech camera technologies, they'll examine the shark's unique savagery and specialized methods of killing, revealing exactly why they're so deadly. | ||
| VIDEO: Surviving Great Whites | VIDEO: Tiger Sharks at Night | ||
| PHOTOS: Bahamas Shoot | PHOTOS: South Africa Shoot | ||
| VIDEO: Battling a Tiger Shark | |||
 | SHARK CITY Premiering Thursday, August 4, 9PM e/p Most of us think of sharks as blank-eyed killing machines, but in Shark City, we'll get to know a handful of them as individuals. We'll follow the sharks of the Bahamas through their days and nights to find out how they size each other up, what they like to eat and what it is that they're afraid of. This show will feature the amazing talents and hilarious insights of our Chief Shark Officer, Andy Samberg. | ||
| VIDEO: Andy Samberg Shark Frenzy | VIDEO: Sharking in the Shallows | ||
| PHOTOS: Shark City | VIDEO: The Perfect Kill | ||
RETURNING TO SHARK WEEK IN 2011
 | ULTIMATE AIR JAWS (Originally Premiered 2010) Sunday, July 31, 8PM e/p Shark expert Chris Fallows uses high-tech cameras to track the incredible agility and velocity of the massive great white sharks of South Africa, which famously blast from the water to attack their prey. State-of-the-art technology allows us to slow down each shark's flying leap from one second down to almost a minute, and in so much detail that you can literally count every tooth in the shark's mouth. | ||
| VIDEO: Great White Sharks Jumping | VIDEO: Great White Hot Spot | ||
| VIDEO: Great White Learns to Leap | VIDEO: Air Jaws in Slow Motion | ||
| PHOTOS: Ultimate Air Jaws | VIDEO: Great Whites Off Seal Island | ||
| VIDEO: Sharks Patrol Crowded Beach | VIDEO: Great Whites Shift to Seals | ||
 | JAWS OF THE PACIFIC (Originally Premiered 2005) Monday, August 1, 8PM e/p Analyzing data from new satellite technology, scientists have recently discovered that the great white shark makes incredible long-distance migrations across the Pacific Ocean. Transmitters attached to the sharks may soon reveal hidden birthing and mating grounds. | ||
| PHOTOS: Jaws of the Pacific | |||
 | TOP FIVE EATEN ALIVE (Originally Premiered 2007) Tuesday, August 2, 8PM e/p A diver is caught in the mouth of a great white, and survives. A woman is caught in a tug-of-war between a shark and her rescue crew. Scientists are surrounded by sharks and one has his leg bitten off, but lives to defend the shark. These and more are the world's five most amazing shark attack survivor stories. | ||
| PHOTOS: Top Five Eaten Alive | |||
 | INTO THE SHARK BITE (Originally Premiered 2010) Wednesday, August 3, 8PM e/p Go on a wild ride as we show you the last thing you'd ever want to see in real life: close up views of attacks by the world's most deadly sharks — from inside their mouths! Shark expert Mark Addison and underwater cameraman Andy Casagrande risk life and limb to get their special, miniature HD cameras Into the Shark Bite! | ||
| PHOTOS: Into the Shark Bite | VIDEO: Inside a Tiger Shark's Bite | ||
| VIDEO: Caught In a Shark Frenzy | VIDEO: Cave of the Sharks | ||
| VIDEO: Great Whites Attack Bite Cam | |||
 | AIR JAWS: SHARKS OF SOUTH AFRICA (Originally Premiered 2001) Thursday, August 4, 8PM e/p Witness the awesome power of great white sharks hurtling themselves out of the water to attack their prey. Among the most spectacular predatory events in nature, only the great whites of South Africa's False Bay engage in this mighty display. | ||
| PHOTOS: Air Jaws | VIDEO: Sharks of South Africa | ||
 | 10 DEADLIEST SHARKS (Originally Premiered 2006) Friday, August 5, 7 and 8PM e/p Sharks are among the most feared creatures in the oceans. They are supreme hunters and killers, but most species would never attack a human. A select few, however, can be extremely dangerous to man under the right conditions. From great whites to bull sharks, find out which are the 10 deadliest sharks in the world. | ||
| PHOTOS: 10 Deadliest Sharks | |||
ALSO PREMIERING DURING SHARK WEEK 2011
 | WHEN FISH ATTACK 3 Premiering Thursday, August 4, 10PM e/p Travel the waters of the world to meet people who made some pretty dumb mistakes around dangerous sea creatures, including sharks, as well as folks who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Each story includes actual footage of the events and expert analysis. | ||
| PHOTOS: When Fish Attack 3 | |||
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