One day while scuba diving, Stefanie Brendl was confronted by a shark. But this wasn’t a scene from Jaws. This was a peaceful encounter, and one that changed Brendl’s life. She felt a connection with the animal, and as they made eye contact, it was as if it was begging her for help. When Brendl got out of the water, she knew she needed to take action. In 2007, she founded the NGO Shark Allies to bring an end to the shark fin trade and save their lives.
Shark fins are used in traditional medicines across Asia, and in shark fin soup, a luxury dish in China. A highly profitable trade, over 70 million sharks are killed annually. The process of acquiring their fins is brutal. “The reality sharks face on a daily basis is incredibly tragic,” Brendl says. “Shark finning and the trade of fins is one of the biggest reasons why sharks are being driven to extinction.” Once a shark has had its fins removed on a boat at sea, they are thrown back into the ocean. Left alive but immobile, they either drown or are eaten by other fish. Their only hope is for people to make a difference on their behalf.
With Shark Allies, Brendl is altering perceptions of sharks and bringing awareness to the horrors of the fin trade. In 2014, she was part of a team that released Extinction Soup, a documentary about the dangers of shark finning and overfishing, emphasising the need for action by lawmakers and citizens. “Changing laws is important because when something becomes official it is enforceable,” Brendl says. Through campaigning, Shark Allies has facilitated the outlawing of shark finning in 14 United States, three US territories, and a number of Pacific Islands. By protecting animals from the courtroom and supporting organisations like Shark Allies, we increase the chances of preserving them. “When we put our love into action, we can change laws and save lives,” Brendl says.
Footage from Extinction Soup was used in the creation of this film.
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