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Holland & Barrett, the high street
Natural Food Store, has come under fire from UK's leading shark and marine conservation
organisation, Bite-Back,
for the continued sale of Shark Cartilage capsules alongside everyday vitamins
and supplements.
According to Bite-Back, the sale of Shark Cartilage capsules is providing an
unnecessary and additional incentive for fishermen to hunt and destroy shark
populations.
Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: "Any industry
that benefits from the death of sharks must be inspired to halt its trade. Counter
arguments from health food stores about bycatch can be immediately rejected
since the sale of Shark Cartilage capsules only adds to the argument that sharks
are more valuable dead than alive."
The Shark Cartilage in the Holland & Barrett capsules is extracted from
the hugely vulnerable and fiercely overfished spiny dogfish. Capable of reaching
between three and four feet long, female dogfish have a gestation period that
can last an incredible 22 months - the same as an elephant - before they give
birth to live young.
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The North East Atlantic
stock is now considered to be depleted and may be in danger of collapse. The
species also assessed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, the World Conservation
Union.
Graham Buckingham said: "The inclusion of Shark Cartilage capsules in Holland
& Barrett stores is yet another example of how the retail industry is masterminding
and endorsing the extinction of sharks."
Priced at £16.99 for 100 capsules, the Shark Cartilage capsules are marketed
as a natural remedy for ailments including arthritis, joint problems and even
cancer.
John Coffey, a cancer biologist at John Hopkins University said: "I don't
think there is any benefit in buying shark cartilage and eating it, any more
than I think that eating rabbit will make me run faster."
Bite-Back is working to eliminate the trade in all shark meat and its by-products
in the UK. Already its campaign has prompted ASDA to remove shark meat from
190 stores across the UK along with several restaurants including Wagamama.
(Source: www.bite-back.com)
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