Shark Girl

I came across a nice documentary on the Smithsonian channel the other night. 20 year old Madison Stewart from Australia is trying to protect sharks along the GBR. Some interesting information about the BMAA toxins found in shark fins that is related to Alzheimer's as well as the elevated mercury content in the meat. It was interesting to learn that Palau has put an economic value on sharks at approximately $180,000 per shark per year in tourism dollars. They now have a complete ban on shark fishing and as a result their reef system is becoming quite healthy.

Here's the link the the Smithsonian Channel - Shark Girl | Smithsonian Channel


Its good to see young people taking up a good cause.

Yep, saw it also. Knew about mercury but not BMAA. Would love to see some changes in certain soup eating groups.

Saw it as well. Thought it was well done. No hype - just facts and a ton to think about.

I think I've fallen in love.

My wife and i just finished the documentary... I about died when I learned about the BMAA subject... I'm a dead man!!! When I first came to China, every big business dinner included shark fin soup, early on, I was polite and 'did eat'... but for the last 8-9 years, I refuse because I learned about how the Chinese were destroying the shark world.

I think this little gal is great, and I'll do my part to help support her efforts... but my effort will be small in comparison to that of my wife...

My wife teaches in an international school here in Shanghai, she teaches 5 years olds, and annually 200 parents paying private school tuitions for a kindergartener try to get their kid one of 24 slots in my wife's class..(that has a lot to do with the fact that her students go on to 1st grade speaking, reading, writing English in just a year)... but part of the IB course work is a section on LIVING THINGS... and my wife says that part of her lesson plan next year is going to be a full day dedicated to discussing the plight of sharks and shark finning and letting the kids know that RICH people in China are killing all the sharks in the world... (this should produce some interesting results when these 5 year-olds ask their parents why they want to kill sharks )

Gotta love my wife, saving the world one mind at a time.