Progress and setbacks, the jagged path of an avid environmentalist...

In 2012, grassroots protests and political upheaval led the Costa Rican government to pass a ban on the shark finning practice and the transportation of shark fins. This new law was signed into effect by President Laura Chinchilla and aimed to 'close the loopholes' of the existing legislation. In 2001, Costa Rica had banned shark finning, but did not place any regulations on shark fin trade (meaning that it was practically impossible to regulate the illegal fishing practices). Costa Rican waters are home to a diverse array of sharks and are well known for massive schools of hammerheads! Longline fishing and the highly-wasteful practice of shark finning, however, have decimated these populations. This is largely in part to the global demand for shark fins due to the increasing popularity of shark fin soup in Asian cultures.

Merely a year later, Costa Rican fisherman have developed new fishing tactics to circumvent the law and to 'legally' continue the shark finning practice.

Please read this article to see what I mean!

http://news.mongabay.com/2013/1110-shark-fin-technique.html#BLF2o0F4LJiFghvr.01

Shark fins remain attached to the spinal chord of the body by thin strips of cartilage. Because of poor wording in the new 2012 legislation, this practice is in fact legal in Costa Rica. 

This video demonstrates the practice of shark finning... It is a bit gruesome to watch.

Today, there has been a great effort to reduce the demand for shark fins through science, education, and environmental activism. I personally feel like we have made giant strides into ocean conservation! Waves of activism continue to shake things up on the shark front and I actually do foresee a positive future on the horizon. We just have to keep up the good work. Education precedes consciousness, and consciousness is the primary ingredient in making environmentally favorable lifestyle choices. When the demand for fins decreases, the killing will also stop.

Here is a list of organisations who actively campaign against shark finning and promote shark conservation through awareness and education. Please get involved in any way you can!

Shark Angels - http://sharkangels.org/
Shark Savers - https://www.sharksavers.org/en/home/
Stop Shark Finning - http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/
Sea Shepherd Conservation Society - http://www.seashepherd.org/sharks/
Divers: Act Now! - http://www.divers-act-now.com/
Costa Rica's own Mission Tiburon - http://misiontiburon.org/en
Friends of Sharks - http://friendsofsharks.com/
Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation - http://www.bite-back.com/

And this is just the short list! There are many other non-profits that are devoted to shark research and conservation. There are also hundreds of organizations dedicated to ocean health and preservation in general.

Although shark finning is illegal in the United States, shark fins are imported and traded within the country to support the domestic fin soup demand. Check to see what your state regulations are and maybe you can pioneer a local change in the trade of fins in your area. Maybe you can convince local restaurants to remove shark fin from their menus. All of the aforementioned organizations provide ample educational material to help you become a shark conservationist. Be aware, be active, and share your love for the ocean!