Will the San Jose Sharks Help Save Real Sharks?

by Jess Leber · 2011-05-09 06:30:00 UTC
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California's San Jose Sharks are on a tear through the NHL playoffs this month, and so their mascot 'Sharkie' must be keeping seriously busy. Win or lose, when the season is done, we hope that the team can sink its teeth into an important statewide issue that could determine the continued survival of their real-life mascot.

Around the world, shark populations are plummeting due to the continued consumption of shark fin soup, which is viewed as a luxury and status symbol in traditional Chinese culture. The soup is made from fins sheared from live sharks; the sharks are then left to die. Worldwide, every single day, shark fin soup is to blame for 260,000 shark deaths. Every year? Seventy million. Because sharks are top ocean predators, their mass die-off is a dangerous experiment with our larger marine ecosystems.

California is the largest importer of shark fins outside of Asia, so it shoulders major responsibility for the sharks' plight. Luckily, right now the state is considering an important piece of legislation, AB 376, that would change this situation by banning the sale and import of shark fins.  And while the Chinese restaurant lobby and some politicians like to paint this bill as an attack on traditional Chinese culture, the reality is far different. A co-sponsor of the bill is Chinese American, and a new poll just released found that 70 percent of Chinese American California voters support the shark fin ban (compared to 76 percent of total California voters).

A San Francisco Chinese American resident, Mike Kwan, has been working hard to lobby on behalf of this legislation. On Change.org, he has created one petition asking San Francisco mayoral candidates to come out in support of the bill, which I wrote about last week.

Now, he has created a second really creative campaign. He wants the San Jose Sharks to help on behalf of their mascot. Already, NBA superstar Yao Ming—one of China's most popular figures—has spoken out in public support of the shark fin ban. He has just partnered with the organization WildAid to shoot a PSA to educate his fans.

Kwan wants to see the San Jose Sharks take the same positive, proactive steps. In his petition letter he asks, "We hope you can consider mobilizing your fans to join a campaign to end shark fin soup, or partner with a nonprofit organization such as WildAid. NBA star Yao Ming, one of China's most popular figures, is an ambassador to WildAid, and recently starred in a PSA against shark fin soup."

This is a really creative petition and an important opportunity to mobilize sports fans on an issue they may have never heard about otherwise. And if the San Jose Sharks want to live by their name, we will hopefully see them take action on this issue soon.

Sign the petition to the San Jose Sharks to help get their attention, and leave a comment wishing them luck in the playoffs. You can also share the petition with all of your friends, especially with anyone who lives in California.

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Photo credit: Ed Senter via Flickr

Jess Leber is a Change.org editor. She most recently covered climate and energy issues as a reporter in Washington, D.C

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