During a recent Seafood Festival in Plymouth, England, a blue shark was paraded through the city before being chopped up, cooked, and served to attendees. The blue shark is considered a near-threatened species, leading to criticism from many conservationists and the public.
The shark was hoisted into the air by two men and placed on a stage for a cooking demonstration, causing outrage among onlookers. The Ocean Conservation Trust, based in Plymouth, condemned the event, stating their disapproval of the exploitation of the shark.
Despite being accidentally caught as by-catch, the shark was not released back into the ocean but instead celebrated as the “catch of the day.” This drew strong reactions from social media users, with many expressing disappointment and outrage at the treatment of the vulnerable species.
The Plymouth city council acknowledged the incident and emphasized their commitment to marine conservation and sustainable fishing practices. The blue shark is classified as near-threatened on the IUCN red list and is a priority species under the UK post-2010 biodiversity framework.
While legally allowed to be retained, sold, and consumed, there is a growing call for more respect towards endangered animals and the promotion of catch and release practices. The handling of the shark at the festival was criticized by conservation groups, urging for greater awareness and protection of marine species.
