Creating awareness through arts to stop shark finning for consumption
SHAH ALAM - The LINC KL, in collaboration with ARTISUS, has organised the "We Are All in This Together 2023" exhibition, which will go on from July 1 to July 30.
The exhibition also saw the launch of the Shark Savers Malaysia art sculpture titled "I’m Finished with Fins".
Bandar Utama former Selangor state assemblyperson Jamaliah Jamaluddin said this month-long event is dedicated to raising awareness about World Ocean Day, World Nature Conservation Day, and Global Tiger Day through the collective power of art collectibles, which hold profound significance for our planet's future.
"We gathered here to shed light on this pressing issue but also to showcase the power of art in raising awareness and inspiring action.
The "I’m Finished with Fins" art sculpture stands as a testament to our commitment to shark conservation and climate action.
"Art, with its universal language, has the power to transcend barriers and touch hearts, and it has the power to awaken empathy, ignite conversations, and mobilise communities," she said in the press statement.
Addressing the challenges posed by the shark fin trade and climate change, she added that they require a multi-faceted approach that involves collaborative efforts from scientists, conservationists, policymakers, and communities.
"We must embrace sustainable fishing practises that prioritise the conservation of sharks and other marine species.
"Establishing marine protected areas and promoting responsible tourism can help safeguard critical habitats and promote the recovery of shark populations.
"Additionally, legislation and regulations must be put in place to enforce sustainable practises and eliminate the shark fin trade," she expressed.
She said sharks are facing unprecedented threats that compromise their ability to fulfil their ecological roles.
"The shark fin trade, driven by the demand for shark fin soup, has caused significant declines in shark populations worldwide.
"This trade involves the brutal practise of shark finning, where sharks are caught, their fins are mercilessly sliced off, and their bodies are discarded back into the ocean, often while still alive.
"Recent estimates suggest that over 100 million sharks are killed each year, primarily for their fins.
"This unsustainable and cruel trade not only decimates shark populations but also disrupts this intricate web of life within our oceans," she said.
Commenting further, Jamaliah said education and awareness initiatives are crucial in shaping public perception and driving behavioural change.
"By incorporating shark conservation and climate change into school curriculum and public campaigns, we can empower future generations to become stewards of our oceans.
"Let us stand united in our mission to say "no" to the consumption of shark fin soup, to protect these invaluable creatures, and to proclaim with unwavering determination that we are all in this together.
"Our action today will shape the future for generations to come," she expressed.
Meanwhile, ARTISUS representative Abner Yap said the exhibition was held at the LINC KL, which aims to raise awareness regarding three important conservation issues, including World Oceans Day, World Nature Conservation Day, and World Tiger Day.
"It is also a campaign programme to educate the public about the increasingly endangered shark species.
"This campaign is a series of efforts by Shark Savers, who have collaborated with several organisations since April 2012, intending to provide information behind the use of fish fins for nutrition.
"Therefore, we want it to get the support of various companies not to use it and also prohibit any trade in the species," he said in a statement on Thursday.
