Yesterday, as I stood in the seafood area at New Grand Mart in Germantown, MD, USA shopping for mackerel, I was filled with shock and disappointment. I noticed a distressing addition to the stock - shark tails. Not only was I taken back by the sight, but I also realized the larger-scope ecological implications this could have. Sharks, unlike salmon, mackerel, and lobster, are caught in unsustainable and harmful ways that significantly disrupt the environmental balance in our oceans. 

According to studies, sharks are usually captured from our oceans, and their fins and tails are severed, before their bodies are discarded back into the sea. Scientists estimate that millions of sharks are killed each year, resulting in a weakened population and a deeply disrupted ecosystem. This method of fishing, known as "finning", is widely acknowledged to contribute to the decline of global shark populations, negatively affecting biodiversity in our oceans.

Sensitive to the ecological implications of my choices, I understand that not all seafood is harmful. Lobster, salmon, anchovies, and mackerel, amongst others, are often responsibly harvested in sustainable quantities. Yet others, like sharks, are caught in manners that place significant stress on our marine ecosystems. Because our country is trying to protect sharks, it is currently illegal to sell body parts of sharks.

My request is simple: I request that New Grand Mart ceases the sale of shark tails to safeguard the health of our oceans, and in turn, our planet. This is not just a matter of consumer choice, but also an urgent call to protect a fragile global ecosystem currently in significant danger. As a community, the people of Germantown, MD, USA, have the power to make a difference. Join me in urging New Grand Mart to take this vital step towards preserving our oceans and our environment. Please sign this petition.