|
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 by-catch 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.
|
|
|
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)
|
|
|
|
