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Stop Shark Sales at Carrefour Egypt
Published by Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association on Mar 14, 2010
STOP SHARK SALES AT CARREFOUR EGYPT
It has come to my knowledge that Carrefour Egypt, offers sharks for sale on the fresh fish counter. This is an irresponsible act that endangers the wellbeing of your clientele and the future of our planet. I am horrified that one of the largest hypermarkets in Egypt and a brand of international standing such as Carrefour, shows such a blatant disregard for the health of the citizens of Egypt and the natural and economic resources of this country.
I demand that Carrefour immediately cease all sale and trade of any shark products; and that a statement to this fact is officially released.
* Consuming shark meat is a health risk
As top predators, sharks accumulate high concentrations of toxins, such as Methyl Mercury, in their body; often as much as 10,000 times that of their surrounding environment.
Exposure to Methyl Mercury has been proven to cause neurological damage, coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest, as well as a trigger for autoimmune diseases and immune dysfunction. Methyl Mercury is a known carcinogen. Methyl Mercury ingestion has also extensively been documented to cause male infertility and spermatozoa mutation, in addition to instigating type II diabetes.
An average shark steak (that is 300g in the pan, served as 200g) contains 420µg of Methyl Mercury, nearly 23 times the maximum allowable limit by The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food (JEFCA).
* Trading shark meat supports environmental destruction
Shark populations are dramatically declining due to overfishing as a result of the demand for shark meat and shark fins. The environmental implications associated with reducing shark populations are horrific.
The removal of sharks from marine ecosystems disrupts the entire marine food chain, creating a ‘trophic cascade’. The species whose numbers sharks used to police, such as ray and skates, are now exploding in population. They in turn are wiping out scallops and other shellfish, and water quality is suffering as a result.
Reefs, too, are under assault as parrot fish, which are key to controlling algae growth on reefs, are being exterminated by the fish whose numbers are no longer being regulated by sharks.
* Trading shark meat damages the Egyptian economy and people
The potential socio-economic impact, of declining shark populations, in Egypt, and other countries that rely on dive tourism is extremely costly. The impact on the fishing industry coastal communities that rely on fishing shall be disastrous due to the disruption of the marine food web.
The estimated annual income, from the tourism industry, of the sighting of a single shark, at Brothers Islands, is EGP 1,250,000 per year. Carrefour sells juvenile sharks at L.E. 30 per kg!
I urge you to Stop Selling Sharks immediately. and that a statement to this fact is officially released.
Carrefour can make a significant contribution to the survival of these species, and the health, environment and prosperity of Egypt and its people by choosing to stop selling shark meat in your stores. Moreover, you will set an example to the industry across the world and become a champion of environmentally and ecologically responsible retailing. Please act now!
It has come to my knowledge that Carrefour Egypt, offers sharks for sale on the fresh fish counter. This is an irresponsible act that endangers the wellbeing of your clientele and the future of our planet. I am horrified that one of the largest hypermarkets in Egypt and a brand of international standing such as Carrefour, shows such a blatant disregard for the health of the citizens of Egypt and the natural and economic resources of this country.
I demand that Carrefour immediately cease all sale and trade of any shark products; and that a statement to this fact is officially released.
* Consuming shark meat is a health risk
As top predators, sharks accumulate high concentrations of toxins, such as Methyl Mercury, in their body; often as much as 10,000 times that of their surrounding environment.
Exposure to Methyl Mercury has been proven to cause neurological damage, coronary artery disease and cardiac arrest, as well as a trigger for autoimmune diseases and immune dysfunction. Methyl Mercury is a known carcinogen. Methyl Mercury ingestion has also extensively been documented to cause male infertility and spermatozoa mutation, in addition to instigating type II diabetes.
An average shark steak (that is 300g in the pan, served as 200g) contains 420µg of Methyl Mercury, nearly 23 times the maximum allowable limit by The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food (JEFCA).
* Trading shark meat supports environmental destruction
Shark populations are dramatically declining due to overfishing as a result of the demand for shark meat and shark fins. The environmental implications associated with reducing shark populations are horrific.
The removal of sharks from marine ecosystems disrupts the entire marine food chain, creating a ‘trophic cascade’. The species whose numbers sharks used to police, such as ray and skates, are now exploding in population. They in turn are wiping out scallops and other shellfish, and water quality is suffering as a result.
Reefs, too, are under assault as parrot fish, which are key to controlling algae growth on reefs, are being exterminated by the fish whose numbers are no longer being regulated by sharks.
* Trading shark meat damages the Egyptian economy and people
The potential socio-economic impact, of declining shark populations, in Egypt, and other countries that rely on dive tourism is extremely costly. The impact on the fishing industry coastal communities that rely on fishing shall be disastrous due to the disruption of the marine food web.
The estimated annual income, from the tourism industry, of the sighting of a single shark, at Brothers Islands, is EGP 1,250,000 per year. Carrefour sells juvenile sharks at L.E. 30 per kg!
I urge you to Stop Selling Sharks immediately. and that a statement to this fact is officially released.
Carrefour can make a significant contribution to the survival of these species, and the health, environment and prosperity of Egypt and its people by choosing to stop selling shark meat in your stores. Moreover, you will set an example to the industry across the world and become a champion of environmentally and ecologically responsible retailing. Please act now!
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