Shark conservation victory on UK high-street

Shark conservationists have forced the UK largest chain of health food
stores to stop selling shark cartilage capsules. More than 3,000 supporters
of conservation group Bite-Back sent emails directly to Holland & Barrett's
head office calling for the company to stop selling shark cartilage in its
550 stores.
The shark cartilage being sold by Holland & Barrett was extracted from the
threatened spiny dogfish, according to Bite-Back. Priced at £16.99 for 100
capsules, shark cartilage products were marketed by the store as a natural
remedy for ailments including arthritis, joint problems and even cancer.
Businesses profiting from the shark fishing industry are effectively
endorsing an underwater genocide,' said Bite-Back campaign director Graham
Buckingham. 'This is a perfect example of how Bite-Back supporters can help
devalue a dead shark. We are grateful for Holland & Barrett's decision and
we're confident it will have knock-on effects throughout the retail industry.


source:http://www.divemagazine.co.uk/news/article.asp?uan=4710

Picture of a Spiny Dogfish