Shark finning entails cutting off a shark's fin, often while the animal is still alive, and dumping it back into the sea to slowly die. Paul Driscoll / The National
Shark finning entails cutting off a shark's fin, often while the animal is still alive, and dumping it back into the sea to slowly die. Paul Driscoll / The National
Delegates at a global summit on trade this year approved the protection of 50 more shark species, a move that could drastically reduce the shark fin trade. AFP
Delegates at a global summit on trade this year approved the protection of 50 more shark species, a move that could drastically reduce the shark fin trade. AFP
Lemon sharks are yanked from the sea sometimes solely for their fins. AFP
Lemon sharks are yanked from the sea sometimes solely for their fins. AFP
Harvested shark fins set out to dry are displayed on a street in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan area. AFP
Harvested shark fins set out to dry are displayed on a street in Hong Kong’s Sheung Wan area. AFP
Shark fins at a fishing port in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. AFP
Shark fins at a fishing port in Banda Aceh, Indonesia. AFP
Activists and scientists are advocating restrictions that could drastically reduce the lucrative and cruel shark fin trade. AFP
Activists and scientists are advocating restrictions that could drastically reduce the lucrative and cruel shark fin trade. AFP
Large shark populations are declining globally and many species are threatened with extinction. AFP
Large shark populations are declining globally and many species are threatened with extinction. AFP
Pieces of shark fin dry on the rooftop of a factory in Hong Kong. Reuters
Pieces of shark fin dry on the rooftop of a factory in Hong Kong. Reuters
Hong Kong's shark fin trade may face its biggest shake-up in years if conservationists get their way. AFP
Hong Kong's shark fin trade may face its biggest shake-up in years if conservationists get their way. AFP
A woman visits a shop that sells sharks fin, dried seafood and other products in Hong Kong. AFP
A woman visits a shop that sells sharks fin, dried seafood and other products in Hong Kong. AFP
Shark fins are displayed for sale at a market in Hong Kong. AFP
Shark fins are displayed for sale at a market in Hong Kong. AFP
Shark fins are particularly sought after for traditional Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in Asia. AFP
Shark fins are particularly sought after for traditional Chinese medicine and shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in Asia. AFP
Since they have a low reproduction rate, overfishing is a major threat to tiger shark populations. AFP
Since they have a low reproduction rate, overfishing is a major threat to tiger shark populations. AFP
The main threats to the common guitarfish are commercial fishing to supply the shark fin trade. AFP
The main threats to the common guitarfish are commercial fishing to supply the shark fin trade. AFP
Harvesting shark fins is illegal in 12 US states. AFP
Harvesting shark fins is illegal in 12 US states. AFP
Shark costumes with their fins cut off lie on the ground during a protest against the shark fin trade at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. AP
Shark costumes with their fins cut off lie on the ground during a protest against the shark fin trade at the UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon. AP
Shark fin soup is an Asian dish associated with wealth and festivity. AFP
Shark fin soup is an Asian dish associated with wealth and festivity. AFP
Authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins earlier this year which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong from Colombia. Reuters
Authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins earlier this year which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong from Colombia. Reuters
Workers cut shark fins at a fish market in Dubai. AP
Workers cut shark fins at a fish market in Dubai. AP
When a living shark loses its fin, they are unable to swim effectively and will sink to the bottom of the ocean, suffocate and die. The National
When a living shark loses its fin, they are unable to swim effectively and will sink to the bottom of the ocean, suffocate and die. The National
A large number of sharks have been confiscated from fish markets across the UAE, many of which have had their fins cut off. Photo: Dubai Municipality
A large number of sharks have been confiscated from fish markets across the UAE, many of which have had their fins cut off. Photo: Dubai Municipality

World

US

Biden to make shark finning illegal in the US

Bipartisan act outlaws domestic shark fin trade that has pushed hundreds of species on to the endangered list

The National

December 16, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

Shark fin soup will soon be unavailable in the US, once President Joe Biden signs this year's national defence bill, which includes a provision that would outlaw shark finning.

“Congress has taken shark fins off the menu,” Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Centre for a Humane Economy, said in a statement on Friday.

The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act is a part of the National Defence Authorisation Act, or NDAA, that Congress fully passed on Thursday and which is currently on its way to Mr Biden's desk for a final signature.

Shark fins are used in the Chinese delicacy shark fin soup as well as in traditional Asian medicine.

Read more

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Forget the 'Jaws' effect: sharks are heroes in climate change battle to save the oceans

The bill was a bipartisan effort, with three Republicans and one Democrat introducing the bill. It was supported by 300 co-sponsors.

“Shark finning conjures up cruelty and wanton destruction of the medieval era,” Mr Pacelle said.

“But it’s more of a modern evil and the United States has determined this trade is no longer legal in our nation.”

A study published in Nature in 2021 found that the global shark population has declined 71 per cent since 1970.

“It’s a great day for sharks,” Oceana vice president for the US Beth Lowell said in a statement.

Colombian authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong. Reuters
Colombian authorities confiscated a shipment of 3,493 shark fins which were to be illegally trafficked to Hong Kong. Reuters

“The worldwide demand for shark fins is driving many shark populations towards extinction, with the fins from up to 73 million sharks ending up in the global fin trade every year.”

A shark's fins are often removed while the animal is still alive. It is then tossed back into the ocean, where the rudderless fish is unable to swim, leading to a slow death as it sinks to the bottom of the ocean and suffocates.

Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in Chinese cuisine. The dish is associated with wealth and prosperity, and is often served on special occasions such as weddings or the Lunar New Year. The shark fin itself is tasteless.

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
While you're here
On Women's Day
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Infobox

Western Region Asia Cup Qualifier, Al Amerat, Oman

The two finalists advance to the next stage of qualifying, in Malaysia in August

Results

UAE beat Iran by 10 wickets

Kuwait beat Saudi Arabia by eight wickets

Oman beat Bahrain by nine wickets

Qatar beat Maldives by 106 runs

Monday fixtures

UAE v Kuwait, Iran v Saudi Arabia, Oman v Qatar, Maldives v Bahrain

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Keep it fun and engaging

Stuart Ritchie, director of wealth advice at AES International, says children cannot learn something overnight, so it helps to have a fun routine that keeps them engaged and interested.

“I explain to my daughter that the money I draw from an ATM or the money on my bank card doesn’t just magically appear – it’s money I have earned from my job. I show her how this works by giving her little chores around the house so she can earn pocket money,” says Mr Ritchie.

His daughter is allowed to spend half of her pocket money, while the other half goes into a bank account. When this money hits a certain milestone, Mr Ritchie rewards his daughter with a small lump sum.

He also recommends books that teach the importance of money management for children, such as The Squirrel Manifesto by Ric Edelman and Jean Edelman.

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

While you're here
Star%20Wars%3A%20Episode%20I%20%E2%80%93%20The%20Phantom%20Menace
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Big%20Ape%20Productions%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20LucasArts%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsoles%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PC%2C%20PlayStation%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Results

Stage 5:

1. Jonas Vingegaard (DEN) Team Jumbo-Visma  04:19:08

2. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates  00:00:03

3. Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers

4. Sergio Higuita (COL) EF Education-Nippo 00:00:05

5. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:00:06

General Classification:

1. Tadej Pogacar (SLO) UAE Team Emirates 17:09:26

2.  Adam Yates (GBR) Ineos Grenadiers 00:00:45

3. Joao Almeida (POR) Deceuninck-QuickStep 00:01:12

4. Chris Harper (AUS) Team Jumbo-Visma 00:01:54

5. Neilson Powless (USA) EF Education-Nippo 00:01:56

Kareem Shaheen on Canada
Updated: December 16, 2022, 8:58 PM`
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