The Environment Club of your school is launching an anti-shark fin campaign to raise your schoolmates' awareness of the harmful effects of consuming shark fin. As Chairperson of the Club, you are going to give a speech during the morning assembly

Good morning, principal, teachers, and fellow schoolmate, some of you know me, but some of you may not. My name is Carson, the chairman of the Environment Club and I have TWO questions to ask you.  First, do you know shark fin soup is excellent good to us? The second  questions do you know where shark fin come from? I have watch a movie of Discovery Channel. I saw  some fishermen caught sharks and then threw them  back into the oceans after having their fins cut off. What a terrible and cruel event!. This terrifying image urged me to share with you why we must launch an anti-shark fin campaignThis is completely wrong, just think for a minute, and put yourselves into the 'shoes' of those sharks. It’s like getting your arms and legs chopped off and being told to 'swim'.We should stop consuming shark fins NOW.

What’s shark-fin soup?

Shark fin soup is a traditional soup or stewed dish served in parts of China, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia. The shark fins provide noodle texture, while the taste comes from the other soup ingredients such as chicken stock. It is commonly served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets, or as a luxury item.  It is  as a symbol of social status. 

Let me talk more about the video, I saw some fishermen caught sharks from the ocean. Soon, they were  using a knife to cut into the large pectoral fin on the shark’s left side. Another man stepped on the right fin, pinning it down as the shark swang  its tail in desperation, blood was streaming across the deck. A second fin is cut off, then a third and so on. I could feel that what a painful for the sharks is.  

When the sharks were thrown back into the ocean, it’s like cutting off my limbs and leaving me to bleed to death. I could guess that they would probably either bleed to death or suffocate, because they couldn’t swim, so they’re not getting oxygen. Or they might get eaten by other sharks. So regardless, it’s a pretty inhumane way to die.”

As apex (top) predators, sharks play an important role in the ecosystem by maintaining the species below them in the food chain and serving as an indicator for ocean health. They help remove the weak and the sick as well as keeping the balance with competitors helping to ensure species diversity.

As predators, they shift their prey’s spatial habitat, which alters the feeding strategy and diets of other species. Through the spatial controls and abundance, sharks indirectly maintain the seagrass  and corals reef habitats. The loss of sharks has led to the decline in coral reefs, seagrass.

With no doubt, sharks are one of the endanger animal. Oceana released a report in July 2008, “Predators as Prey: Why Healthy Oceans Need Sharks”, illustrating our need to protect sharks. 

Furthermore, PARIS (AP) — the world's sharks and rays have seen declines in their populations since 2014 and more and more are now threatened with extinction.

Besides, we are sure that shark fin doesn’t actually have any taste. Besides, shark products can contain dangerous levels of mercury, presenting a public health risk. Last but not the least, the level of nutrient is very low. We eat it only for showing off purpose.

Why do we still eat shark fins soup?

When we eat shark fins soup again, we should think of what do we are encouraging. We are encouraging the fishermen do the painful, cruel and let those sharks die in a pretty inhumane way. We also break the ecosystem and harming our Planet.

What should we do?

Firstly, we should boycott restaurants that serve shark fin.

If the restaurant sees a decline in customers, then they might stop serving shark fin.

Secondly start a fundraise. 

There are a lot of organisations out there like the HKSF and WildAid that are fighting to save marine wildlife, but they rely on the public to donate money. Help them out by raising funds for them so that they can continue their work. 

Thirdly, donate your birthday money.

Instead of asking for another iTunes gift card this year, get your friends and family to donate cash to those organization directly. 

Lastly, join our Environment Club to become a school shark ambassador.

The HKSF has an amazing programme which allows students to become shark ambassadors. Host events at our school and organise fundraisers. Get the message out there. As a potential leader like you, now is the time for you to help shape the future of the world!

Let’s save the sharks together!

Thank you.