
Today is a day of celebration here at Mermaid Mansion! Our three mermaids Lorelei, Melusine and Ondine were delighted to hear that today five species of critically endangered shark (the oceanic whitetip, porbeagle and three types of hammerhead) have been given greater protection by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (a.k.a. Cites). Not only that - manta rays have also gained new protection.
Shark finning is a huge problem for the world's oceans. The latest estimates are that an unbelievable 100 million sharks are killed every year, chiefly for their fins. As some shark species can take many years to reach maturity, this can lead to a crash in shark populations, which has serious knock-on effects to marine ecosystems. Find out more about the problems with shark finning by clicking here.
Here in Cambridge, the grassroots movement Fin Free Cambridge have recently had success in persuading Cambridge City Council to vote to condemn the sale of shark fin products in Cambridge. It's the first city in the UK to do so, and the group are now aiming to expand their movement across the country.
Just one more reason that the Merlesque mermaids are happy to call Cambridge our home!
Mermaid Melusine x