1) Shark finning involves cutting the fins off live sharks and throwing their bodies back into the ocean, where they die a slow death. It is done to supply the demand for shark fin soup, especially in Asian cultures. 2) Laws against shark finning exist in many places but are poorly enforced, and sharks continue to be harvested at unsustainable rates. 3) If shark finning continues unabated, it could drive many shark species extinct and have devastating effects on the marine ecosystem.

1. Shark finning
Issues of shark finning
My Learning Journey
Australian Curriculum

2. INQUIRY PROBLEM:
• Being killed at an
unsustainable rate
• Weak laws and poor
enforcement
• Devastating effect to our
marine ecosystem

3. RATIONALE:
• Left a huge impact on me in high school
• Related to my culture

4. RESEARCH QUESTIONS:
1.) Process of shark finning
2.) Cultures responsible for
this practice
3.) Laws in place
4.) Prospective future

5. KEY FINDINGS
1.) Process of shark finning
3) Clubbed/stabbed
Process
5) Slow death
2)Regardless of age,
size and species
1) Long Lining
6) 8 000 tonnes
shipped around
the world
4) Hack fins with
machete; body is
thrown off boat
7) Fulfil customer's
demand

6. 2.) Cultures responsible
• Ming Dynasty
• Served in
- wedding
- high-falutin business lunches
- banquet
• Rely on history
• Growing success in China and
Far East countries
• Conducted in Asian countries

7. 3.) Laws in place
Weak legislation,
poor enforcement
binding
international
treaties
Landed fully
utilised
65 countries banned
shark finning
Laws
created,
finning
continues
Killed
unsustainable
rate

8. 4.) Prospective future
Extinct Cow nose ray Bay scallop Seals, etc Shellfish
Algae Disease Fisheries Coral reefs

9. • 7+ years to mature
• 2 pups a year
Long time
to recover
2017 – 20 species extinct

10. CONCLUSION
1.) Sharks declining in population due to inhumane and
brutal practice
2.) Conducted in Asian countries. Still being harvested and
sold to many restaurants around the world
3.) Facing exploitation due to weak law and poor
enforcement
4.) Essential to sustaining health of marine ecosystem

11. Wider community
Reason:
• Practice occurring world wide
Implication:
• Spread the message
• Do not buy shark fins
• Cutting off consumption of shark fin soup
• Remove from the menu
• Sign up to marine conservative organisations
• Petition

12. AUSTRALIAN CURRICULUM
Science as a Human Endeavour
Nature and Development of Science
Year 1/2
• Science involves asking questions about, and describing changes in,
objects and events (ACSHE034)
Year 5/6
• Science involves testing predictions by gathering data and using
evidence to develop explanations of events and phenomena (ACSHE081)
Year 7/8
• Scientific knowledge changes as new evidence becomes available,
and some scientific discoveries have significantly changed people’s
understanding of the world (ACSHE119)

13. Use and Influence of Science
Year 1/2
• People use science in their daily lives, including when caring for their
environment and living things (ACSHE022)
Year 3/4
• Science knowledge helps people to understand the effect of their actions
(ACSHE051)
Year 5/6
• Scientific understandings, discoveries and inventions are used to solve
problems that directly affect peoples’ lives (ACSHE083)
• Scientific knowledge is used to inform personal and community decisions
(ACSHE217)
Year 7/8
• Science understanding influences the development of practices in areas of
human activity such as industry, agriculture and marine and terrestrial
resource management (ACSHE121)

14. CROSS-CURRICULUM PRIORITY:
SUSTAINABILITY
Organising Ideas
Systems
OI.2 - All life forms, including human life, are connected through ecosystems on which
they depend for their wellbeing and survival.
World views
OI.4 - World views that recognise the dependence of living things on healthy ecosystems,
and value diversity and social justice are essential for achieving sustainability.
Futures
OI.7 - Actions for a more sustainable future reflect values of care, respect and
responsibility, and require us to explore and understand environments.
OI.9 - Sustainable futures result from actions designed to preserve and/or restore the
quality and uniqueness of environments.

15. REFERENCES
Education - Shark finning facts. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.sharkwater.com/education.htm
Is it legal?. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.seashepherd.org/requiem/is-it-legal.html
Mahr, K. (2010). Shark-Fin Soup and the Conservation Challenge. Retrieved from:
http://content.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2021071,00.html
Sharks (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.bite-back.com/issues/sharks/
Shark fin soup facts. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/shark-fin-soup-facts/
Shark finning – Frequently Asked Questions. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.afma.gov.au/2013/10/shark-finning/
Shark finning and shark fin soup. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://fin-free.com/factsheets/shark-finning-and-shark-fin-soup/

16. Sharks' role in the ocean. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.sharksavers.org/en/education/the-value-of-sharks/sharks-role-in-the-ocean/
Stop shark finning campaign. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.sharktrust.org/en/stop_shark_finning
Theworldisbiggerthanme. (2011, January 16). Gordon Ramsey: Shark Bait [Video file]. Retrieved from:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SAkq6lsnoE
Top reasons to ban the fin. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://fin-free.com/factsheets/top-reasons-to-ban-the-fin/
What is shark finning. (2013). Retrieved from:
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/what-is-shark-finning/
Why Protect Sharks?. (2014). Retrieved from:
http://www.supportoursharks.com/en/Conservation/Why_protect_sharks.htm#Anchor
Winton, T. (2014). Shark Finning. Retrieved from:
http://www.marineconservation.org.au/pages/shark-finning.html