Grade 8 Social Studies Current Event Sample By S. Gauci AISG 2015

Intro Info Topic of Article: Shark Finning Headline of Article: Shark fin banned at official Hong Kong functions Sources: d-asia d-asia Humane Society International video/youtube

WHERE? Location… HONG KONG About 2 hours South East of Guangzhou

WHO is this article about? Hong Kong government & Hong Kong-based marine conservation group MyOcean & Sharks

WHAT is this story about? 1. The HK gov’t decided to not use shark fins for their official gov’t functions and that it said it would also encourage government-funded organizations to do the same. 2. imports have declined - attributed in part to a clampdown on lavish official functions on the Chinese mainland, the final destination for many of the imports 3. In a press release, the government said it was taking the step because the items "have aroused international and local concern because they are either captured or harvested in ecologically unfriendly or unsustainable ways, or cause other conservation concerns".said it was taking the step 4. Alex Hofford, the executive director of Hong Kong-based marine conservation group MyOcean, told AFP news agency. "We hope the citizens of Hong Kong can follow suit and finally lay this abhorrent tradition to rest," Mr Hofford said.

WHEN did this story take place? News item must be no more than one week old = that’s 7 days.

WHY is this story important? (Why should we care) We should care about this story because of cruelty to animals – sharks are often finned alive and left for dead Also, we should care because it’s a multi-million dollar industry and provides employment but what happens to jobs when shark finning is banned/illegal Shark finning may go into the black market

CONNECT the article PART I What does it have to do with me? (How is it connected to anything I’ve learned or I am learning in class?) I am against cruelty to animals. Eating Shark fins is not a requirement for sustaining life. This connects to our beliefs Unit we did at the beginning of the year.

CONNECT the article PART II 2. Make a connection between past events with current events. In some Asian cultures it was believed to be a rite of passage/ritual/tradition to kill and consume shark. This practice has evolved into a multi million dollar industry today with some remnants of eating shark fin soup being a sign of wealth and health But it’s mostly a status symbol today & about $$$$

Discussion Question If we are so against cruelty to animals why do we allow, justify and even promote eating animals at all – what’s the difference between a shark and a cow? Eating animals is not required to live…is it?