SYMPOSIA:
20 years of shark research and conservation in Venezuela
XII Venezuelan Congress of Ecology - Simón Bolívar University
November 19. At 10 am.
Scientific work, threatened in Venezuela
Photo Credit: Humberto Ramirez
The crisis in Venezuela is forcing scientists to emigrate. Those who stay, work under dangerous conditions where they are targets of assaults and kidnappings. As the general population faces increasing poverty and hunger, the tolls on wildlife are hard.
Even the meat of the huge whale shark now reaches the table, although its taste is not very pleasant and according to studies would be dangerous, because it accumulates high levels of metals. But mainly it is hunted for its fin, appreciated as a trophy and for traditional Chinese medicine. Mining is rampant without studies of environmental impact or regard for environmental legislation. The impact of sedimentation and contamination of water bodies is unknown, because taking samples involves risks in personal safety, as these are areas where violent groups make the law. The original article is in Spanish. Opening in Google Chrome enables easy translation to other languages.
Venezuela: scientists beat the food crisis and stop consumption of whale shark. by Michelle Carrerre, Mongabay Latin America
Photo Credit: Humberto Ramirez. Click photo for article
Due to the food crisis in Venezuela, inhabitants of Isla Margarita and Sucre began to fish and consume the threatened whale shark, in addition to selling their fins for the Asian market. Although the consumption of whale sharks has never previously been a culinary custom in Venezuela, people in crisis are trying to make the most of any resource. However, a tenacious program has allowed researchers to demonstrate to fishermen that tourism with whale sharks is more economically convenient than the sale of their fins and the consumption of their meat.
The original article is in Spanish. Please Use translate options to view in other languages
https://es.mongabay.com/2019/05/venezuela-crisis-alimentaria-consumo-de-tiburon-ballena/