Cinéfest Sudbury International Film Festival said the work of the late Canadian filmmaker and biologist Rob Stewart was influential in bringing about the banning of the import and export of shark fins in Canada.
The proposed law, Bill S-238, was originally introduced to ban the import of shark fins. The Senate amended it to add a ban against the export of fins as well and the import and export of shark fin derivatives and products to circumvent commerce in products that might slip through the loopholes in laws.
According to Statistics Canada, in 2016 more than 140,000 kilograms of shark fins were imported into the country, worth about $3.08 million. Canada is the third biggest importer of fins after mainland China and Hong Kong.
Stewart's first award-winning film, “Sharkwater,” exposed the illegal slaughter of sharks for shark fin soup in Costa Rica and the Galapagos Islands. His work proved instrumental in changing public attitudes toward sharks, changing government policing and inspiring others to create shark conservation groups.
“Sharkwater: Extinction,” which premiered at the 2018 edition of Toronto International Film Festival, and subsequently screened at the 30th edition of Cinéfest Sudbury International Film festival, received tremendous praise.
The film reminds audiences that although illegal shark finning is baned worldwide, the practice continues due to lax enforcement and remains a booming industry.
“Sharkwater: Extinction” looks to renew and strengthen efforts to conserve shark population.
The film is currently playing in theatres across Canada.
