I have just finished watching 'Sharkwater' for the second time. And I am left with the same feeling and experience of sobering insights and awareness I was left with the first time. It is striking to me that we live in a world that is so deadly in present day. With systems of corruption being found and explored by brave individuals and pockets of mobilized people and organizations in every facet of society.
In this particular film, the exploration and uncovering of a multi-billion dollar industry, that being shark fishing, and the subsequent slicing off of the fins they carry. These fins are then sold for on average $200usd/per pound (namely in particular, Asian countries), presented as a symbol of wealth, and longevity, though allegedly there is no documented evidence of these fins having the healing power they are said to possess.
Upon watching the video, I am struck as sharks are caught using longlines, and then the fin is shaved off of them, and they are kicked and shoved back into the water, to accumulate at the bottom of the sea where they are left for dead and eaten by other fish.
Sharks, eaten by other fish. The top predatory animal. A beautiful animal that has been inhabiting the earth far, far longer than the human race. Sharks have been here for over 450 million years. And they have managed to survive. However, over the last 10 years, with the increase of illegal shark finning, they are dying by the millions in a multi-billion dollar industry. Sickening.
It strikes me that the average person here in the west is seemingly scared of sharks, not surprisingly after watching the myth-making video Jaws, and absorbing, uncritically, sensationalized mass media. This uncritical view often shared as a fact, when, in fact, it is an uneducated opinion. After watching Jaws as a child, I too, was scared of sharks. Sharks eat people was the general conclusion, and not at all based on empirical evidence. Just some dramatic effects and an idea.
An open mind, awareness of media and pop culture indoctrination led me to watching this film to learn more accurately the facts of this beautiful, majestic animal. This animal that is being hunted and destroyed driven by superficial values, economic greed, and economic slavery. It costs little to hunt and kill these animals, compared to the exorbitant profit.
The thing is. This is not something separate that is happening in the natural world with no effect on human beings. As the sharks go, fish (sharks prey) increase and consume plankton in larger quantities. Plankton release oxygen into the air. The very air human beings need to survive life on this planet.
But, you see, I think I shouldn't have to highlight that fact. And use it as a "selling" pitch to cajole attention to enlisting concerned, impassioned humans. The value of "other" species has been so far removed from mainstream consciousness that it has become "someone else's" problem. Well, from what I gather, this massacre illustrates not only how sharks are valued, but also how human beings are valued, as commodities and purchasing potential.
If there ever was a time to get to know our fellow inhabitants, meaning our fellow species (yes, even the sharks), it would be now. We truly are interconnected, and a fragile and formidable whole at our best. And if you want absolute proof, just breathe.
In this particular film, the exploration and uncovering of a multi-billion dollar industry, that being shark fishing, and the subsequent slicing off of the fins they carry. These fins are then sold for on average $200usd/per pound (namely in particular, Asian countries), presented as a symbol of wealth, and longevity, though allegedly there is no documented evidence of these fins having the healing power they are said to possess.
Upon watching the video, I am struck as sharks are caught using longlines, and then the fin is shaved off of them, and they are kicked and shoved back into the water, to accumulate at the bottom of the sea where they are left for dead and eaten by other fish.
Sharks, eaten by other fish. The top predatory animal. A beautiful animal that has been inhabiting the earth far, far longer than the human race. Sharks have been here for over 450 million years. And they have managed to survive. However, over the last 10 years, with the increase of illegal shark finning, they are dying by the millions in a multi-billion dollar industry. Sickening.
It strikes me that the average person here in the west is seemingly scared of sharks, not surprisingly after watching the myth-making video Jaws, and absorbing, uncritically, sensationalized mass media. This uncritical view often shared as a fact, when, in fact, it is an uneducated opinion. After watching Jaws as a child, I too, was scared of sharks. Sharks eat people was the general conclusion, and not at all based on empirical evidence. Just some dramatic effects and an idea.
An open mind, awareness of media and pop culture indoctrination led me to watching this film to learn more accurately the facts of this beautiful, majestic animal. This animal that is being hunted and destroyed driven by superficial values, economic greed, and economic slavery. It costs little to hunt and kill these animals, compared to the exorbitant profit.
The thing is. This is not something separate that is happening in the natural world with no effect on human beings. As the sharks go, fish (sharks prey) increase and consume plankton in larger quantities. Plankton release oxygen into the air. The very air human beings need to survive life on this planet.
But, you see, I think I shouldn't have to highlight that fact. And use it as a "selling" pitch to cajole attention to enlisting concerned, impassioned humans. The value of "other" species has been so far removed from mainstream consciousness that it has become "someone else's" problem. Well, from what I gather, this massacre illustrates not only how sharks are valued, but also how human beings are valued, as commodities and purchasing potential.
If there ever was a time to get to know our fellow inhabitants, meaning our fellow species (yes, even the sharks), it would be now. We truly are interconnected, and a fragile and formidable whole at our best. And if you want absolute proof, just breathe.
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