Endangered Soup

Jessica Flexton dives into the world of shark finning to explore why the shark population is diminishing to meet the demand for shark fin soup

Sharks have a long-standing reputation as one of the most frightening and feared animals in the world. Media coverage is full of horror stories and often depicts sharks as dangerous and monstrous creatures. Yet in reality, you are more likely to get struck by lightening than be attacked by a shark. And sadly, due to inhumane practices such as shark finning, the shark population is in serious decline and fast becoming an endangered species.

Shark finning is the process of catching the shark and cutting off the fin whilst the fish is still alive. The remains are often thrown back into the ocean where the shark suffers a slow death, is eaten by other fish, or drowns. This practice is completely legal, widespread and largely unmonitored. Due to the increasing demand for the soup the acquisition of a shark fin has become extremely desirable and has made finning a multi-million pound industry. The price of a shark fin starts from £150, making the product the most valuable dried seafood on the market.

As sharks don’t embody the same loveable characteristics as dolphins and whales, they are frequently overlooked. I believe that if the same practice was applied to dolphins, whales, or any other fish, there would be worldwide uproar. Interestingly there are over 375 different species of sharks but only 12 are known to attack humans. While there are between 50-70 shark attacks a year globally, only five-15 are fatal. Yet an estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year for cultural and recreational purposes.

Shark fin soup is particularly popular in China, its surrounding territories and Chinese communities internationally. Hundreds of years ago shark fin soup was an Asian delicacy eaten only by the rich and elite on social occasions, such as weddings and banquets. The soup is comprised of shark fins which are flavoured with chicken stock and herbs and then the fin is bleached to appear more appealing. It is desired for its rarity and prestigious preparation and is said to have mythical qualities. Today the dish is still considered to be a luxury cuisine but is now consumed in vast quantities and is available extensively in restaurants across the world. However, the selling of shark fin soup is now banned in Toronto, California, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon, Palau, Honduras and the Maldives.

For many Asian people shark fin soup is a dish of great traditional importance. “It is our culture and is really important to the Chinese. The Chinese communities in countries where it has been banned are very angry,” said Kat, who is Chinese and an avid-lover of shark fin soup. “It is delicious and it’s really tasty. If you did not have shark fin soup at your wedding people would criticise your family. Each table has a bowl of shark fin soup and if the whole fin is not in the bowl then it’s considered cheap. Everyone has it,” she added. However, Joe, a Canadian who ate the soup in Hong Kong said, “it has the texture of motor oil and has no taste.”

Many people claim that the delicacy has powerful health benefits: it can improve energy, provide aphrodisiacal qualities, prevent heart disease, and lower cholesterol. However, others have outlined the dangers of consuming shark fin soup due to the high concentrations of mercury in the fins which can be potentially harmful for children, pregnant woman and can cause sterility in men. Also, it has been claimed that shark fin soup can put you at a greater risk of developing degenerative brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Since the increase of shark fishing, the number of endangered species has risen to 39, including the Hammerhead, Tiger, and Great White. It is claimed that less than 3,500 Great Whites are left in the world’s oceans. “We’re overfishing them for their fins - some 73 million sharks are killed every year, just for shark fin soup. This is having a catastrophic impact on global shark populations. Its estimated that 1/3 of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction,” says a spokesperson from WildAid. Although sharks are the top predators in the underworld’s food chain, their extinction would have an extreme knock-on effect across the whole ocean. The eco-system is a strongly structured web and needs sharks to regulate the ocean’s food chain. The law for shark fishing allows any shark to be killed at any age, species, or size. Sharks take seven-20 years to fully mature and only produce one or two pups at a time. If one shark is killed then an entire generation could effectively be killed off.

“The message to fishers and management agencies is - don’t supply the market with shark fins until sustainable management practices and comprehensive traceability systems are in place for shark fins,” says a spokesperson for the World Wildlife Fund. As sharks take such a long time to develop it is simply unsustainable for sharks to reproduce at the same rate that they are being killed. “We suggest that consumers don’t buy or eat shark fins or any other shark product unless that product is certified through an independent, credible certification process. Currently, no shark fin or other shark products meet these requirements,” adds the World Wildlife Fund.

Sharks have been swimming the ocean for 400 million years, long before the arrival of the dinosaurs. If something is not done to change, regulate, or ban shark finning entirely, then the sustainability of sharks will undoubtedly suffer, and these ancient creatures may become extinct. Although shark fin soup is significant within Chinese culture, it is no longer viable for the conservation of the ocean and the impact of overfishing could have disastrous consequences. It must be decided what is of greater importance; culture or sustainability? 

Profile Interview with Mieke Dockley

Jessica Flexton chats to Mieke Dockley about becoming a successful actress and dreams of becoming a Bond girl


“Taking my robe off and having to get naked in front of 50 camera men was the scariest thing,” Mieke Dockley says of her role in the BBC fantasy-drama television series Camelot.


We’re sitting in Mieke’s open-plan, spacious bedroom at her family home in the countryside village of Wimbish, Essex. It’s a beautiful, brisk afternoon and streams of sunlight are penetrating through the wide windows where the family’s horses can be seen roaming free in the lush green garden. Mieke’s thick, blonde locks hang above her waist and her wide, porcelain smile exudes confidence, but despite her glamourous appearance, she openly reveals that she’s had her moments of uncertainty as an actress, including the part she landed in Camelot. “I had an audition and then I didn’t hear from them. The next day I was really upset because I really thought I’d got it,” she says sipping on her mug of hot tea. “ Then they rang me the day after and said I’d be flying to Ireland. I got picked up by a chauffeur-driven car and was so nervous, but I said to myself if I don’t enjoy this and I don’t love it then I’m in the wrong business.”


I notice a large, black and white photograph of Mieke hanging on the wall showcasing her beauty and think how natural she looks sitting in front of me. “I met the cast, including Jamie Campbell Bower (of Harry Potter and Sweeny Todd), and watched them film for a bit. I was up at 5am the next morning and filmed all day. It was the best day of my life,” she says with bright blues eyes sparkling, “I loved every minute of it. When I left I cried. I thought to myself, what if I never experience that again.”


Mieke began her acting career three years ago at the age of 18 when she was accepted by the International School of Screen Acting in London. She had previously been a dancer at Bodyworks in Cambridge. “When I was younger I wanted to do anything associated with acting, dancing, or modelling. I went to dance school and didn’t like all the jazz hands and thought I would try acting. I thought it would be best to focus on one thing and get really good at it and acting was my favourite.” However, Mieke had to make a tough decision when she went for an audition to play the lead in a short film. “I got it. But I couldn’t take three weeks out of school so I left. You get the best experience when you’re working. I’d rather be out there doing it,” she says with conviction.


Her minimalistic, monochrome bedroom is sparse from clutter but is brought alive with flashes of hot pink and is inundated with photographs of friends and family. Despite her beautiful, blonde bombshell exterior and dreams of becoming a Bond girl, Mieke defies any stereotype by her down to earth and homely attitude. “A lot of actors move out into tiny, one bed flats and they’d sell their Gran to get a part, but I wouldn’t do that. My family is more important,” she says warmly.


A little ball of fluff scampers into the room; a Chaupoo (Chihuahua and Poodle cross-breed) named Beau. Mieke lifts Beau up onto her satin sheets and gives the little dog a belly-rub. The conversation shifts to her boyfriend, Adam Smith, who plays professional football and is currently situated at Tottenham Hotspur. “Wherever he goes I go. He’s been moved to Leeds, Torquay, Milton Keynes, and Bournemouth,” she says, pointing to a striking picture of the young couple behind her on a dressing table. “At first I was worried about my career, but it doesn’t hold me back. I don’t live with him all the time, there’s a balance. We’re flexible.”


I find her candidness refreshing; it’s reassuring to meet a stunning, young actress who has her feet firmly on the ground and priorities in order. I ask her who her biggest supporter is and she instantly exclaims, “my Mum,” as her face softens. “I don’t know what I’d do without my Mum. She’s just so supportive. She came all the way to Chesterfield to stay with me while I was in a play. She watched it five times. Also my Dad sent me a text saying that he’d never been so proud of me. They’ve made me the confident person I am today and they make me feel good about myself.”


Mieke’s most recent achievement is scoring a lead part in the British drama film Turnout set in East London. “It was full of paparazzi,” she gushes, “they were taking loads of pictures of me and then I was whisked upstairs to be interviewed. It was really surreal.” The talk of London and flashing lights of paparazzi is stark in contrast to her the family home she is sitting in the country. Mieke’s fortunate to have her hands firmly on both worlds and after declaring that she is a very optimistic person it seems that she will go far in the acting world. “I’m a really positive person. If something bad happens I always say that everything happens for a reason,” she says.

As we near the end of our chat and the afternoon begins to turn into evening, I ask her what advice she would give to other young, aspiring actresses. “Don’t give up, be patient, and remember that it doesn’t happen over night,” she says. For now, Mieke divides her time between auditions and castings, hoping to land a “nice part in a BBC drama or a character part in a film to show what I can do and take the next step up.”


With her stunning good looks, grounded nature, and determination to hit the big screen, it’s clear that nothing will stop this girl from fulfilling her dreams.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY EVERYONE

Me and my Mum in Florida <3

FASHION FRIDAYS

BAGS OF LOVE


It's said that a woman's favorite fashion fix is to splurge on a new handbag. In my opinion, we love to treat ourselves to a new handbag because no matter what shape, size, or style you have, every time you pick up your handbag it will look the same as the last time you wore it; the same mentality also applying to shoes.

Handbags are a key staple, not just for fashion-goers, but for any women (or man) who needs their belongings in arms reach. Many women would not even dream of leaving the house without their beloved bag.

From girly pink bows to gaudy gold skulls I've put a picture below of a few of my favourite handbags pulled out from my wardrobe.

Handbags are not just an accessory but a necessity. You store your most precious treasures in your handbag, phone, keys, money etc. You could probably learn a lot about a woman just by peaking into her handbag.

It's not often that a fashion piece can unite fashion, function, and flair. With endless designs, patterns, and sizes, the possibility of finding a handbag to suit you is an inevitability.

Brick Lane in the Rain

PRINTS FOR PINS

I'm loving patterned leggings at the moment! Get a leg up by donning a pair of printed leggings for Spring.The trend has been updated from the thick, wooly, Winter leggings to abstract designs and thinner fabrics, which means that the look can be transferred over for Spring style. So you can stay stylish as the months get warmer!  

10 DAY CHALLENGE

DAY 10
1 PERSON YOU CAN TRUST

1. Impossible to name just one... I'm lucky to have multiple people I can trust :)