At this year's Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Washington Convention), 5 species of shark were added to Appendix II. This is the fruit of a shark conservation movement organized by international NGOs to protect sharks from "finning, Ein which only the fins are removed from sharks and their body thrown back into the ocean. However, the shark conservation movement didn't end with the banning of finning, but has resulted in a law prohibiting the possession, sale, and provision of shark fins. Nevertheless, international disputes over sharks and shark fins might arise again in future. Keeping in mind our experience with the whaling issue, before emotions clash I believe we should make proposals concerning the sustainable use and management of sharks and shark fins from the perspectives of science and culture.

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