May 24, 2012

HSI/Canada and Fin Donnelly, Member of Parliament, Present Special Screening of "Sharkwater" for World Oceans Day

Humane Society International/Canada

Celebrate World Oceans Day by joining Humane Society International/Canada and Fin Donnelly, Member of Parliament, for a special screening of the movie "Sharkwater" on Tuesday, June 5 at the Bank Street Mayfair Theatre in Ottawa.

This award-winning documentary debunks historical stereotypes and media depictions of sharks and reveals these magnificent animals as pillars in the evolution of the seas. The film follows one man’s remarkable journey of courage and determination as it changes from a mission to save the world’s sharks into a fight for his life and the survival of humankind.

Prior to the screening, Donnelly will speak about the problem of shark finning and the federal bill he has introduced to ban the import of shark fins to Canada.

What: “Sharkwater”: A World Oceans Day special event

A powerful documentary that takes you into the most shark-rich waters of the world, exposing the exploitation and corruption surrounding the world's shark populations in the marine reserves of Cocos Island, Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador.

When: Tuesday, June 5, 2012 at 7:00p.m.

Where:

Mayfair Theatre
1074 Bank Street
Ottawa, Ontario

Hosted by: Humane Society International/Canada and Fin Donnelly, Member of Parliament and Deputy Fisheries Critic for the NDP

Journalists covering this event may also contact 514.395.2914 or email info@hsicanada.ca for complimentary tickets.

Facts

• The fins from as many as 73 million sharks are used to feed the demand for shark fin soup each year. China is the largest market for shark fins, a key ingredient in shark fin soup.
• Shark fins are sometimes harvested through "shark finning." It involves cutting off the fins of sharks then throwing the shark back into the ocean, often while still alive, only to drown, starve or die a slow death due to predation from other animals.
• Sharks are apex predators whose survival affects all other marine species and entire ocean ecosystems.
• Unlike other fish species, sharks produce very few young and mature slowly and consequently, overexploited populations can take years or even decades to recover.
• The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Brantford, London in Ontario, and Port Moody, BC have all passed bans on the trade and distribution of shark fins.
• In 2009, Canada imported 77,000 kilograms of shark fins.

Learn more and take action

• Read about the issue [globally / in Canada] and get the latest news on our work
• Download our petitions [English / French] in support of a ban
• Take our No Shark Fin pledge
• More you can do