Media Advisory: Humane Society International/Canada and Fin Donnelly, MP, Present Special Screening of 'Sharkwater' for World Oceans Day

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 31, 2012) - Humane Society International/Canada and Fin Donnelly, Member of Parliament, will host a special screening of Sharkwater for World Oceans Day on Tuesday, June 5 at the Mayfair Theatre, Downtown, Ottawa. The powerful, award-winning documentary debunks historical stereotypes and commonplace media depictions of sharks and reveals these magnificent animals as pillars in the evolution of the seas. The film follows one man's remarkable journey of courage and determination as it changes from a mission to save the world's sharks into a fight for his life and that of humankind. Prior to the screening, Fin Donnelly will discuss the problem of shark finning and the landmark federal bill he has introduced to ban the import of shark fins into Canada.

FACTS:

• The fins from as many as 73 million sharks are used to feed the demand for shark fin soup each year. China is the largest market for shark fins, a key ingredient in shark fin soup.
• Shark fins are sometimes harvested through a practice known as "shark finning," which involves cutting the fins off of sharks and then throwing the animals back into the ocean. The sharks are often still alive, and condemned to a slow and painful death.
• Sharks are apex predators whose survival affects all other marine species and entire ocean ecosystems.
• Unlike other fish species, sharks produce very few young and mature slowly and consequently, overexploited populations can take years or even decades to recover.
• The cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Brantford, London in Ontario, and Port Moody, BC have all passed bans on the trade and distribution of shark fins.
• In 2009, Canada imported 77,000 kilograms of shark fins.

Humane Society International/Canada is a leading force for animal protection, representing tens of thousands of members and constituents across the country. HSI/Canada has active programs in companion animals, wildlife and habitat protection, marine mammal preservation and farm animal welfare. HSI/Canada is proud to be a part of Humane Society International-one of the largest animal protection organizations in the world, with more than eleven million members and constituents globally-on the Web at www.hsicanada.ca.