May 9, 2022 — The following was released by the Southeastern Fisheries Association:
If you are involved in the U.S. shark fishery or if your fishery is impacted by the explosion of shark populations, please read this.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has brought the export and selling of shark fins and most of the shark fishery to a virtual standstill by bringing serious but vague and unsubstantiated criminal charges against Mark L. Harrison, the founder of the Sustainable Shark Alliance and the nation’s primary shark fin exporter.
If you have not read the first outreach on Mark’s behalf, please do so now at https://www.savingseafood.org/shark-defense-fund
Mark’s story:
At the time of his arrest Mark was working directly with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to develop a means to trace shark fins and invoices under a study ordered by Governor Ron DeSantis to protect sharks. Mark also had worked directly with USFWS on a project to develop a methodology to be able to trace most all the nation’s shark fins that were under CITES regulations. Then they arrested him. He has also worked with the National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) to help improve shark identification and with NMFS’ Office of Law Enforcement to protect shark species.
Mark was instrumental in drafting the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act, introduced by Senator Marco Rubio and Congressmen Daniel Webster and Ted Lieu. This bill would promote the ending of shark finning abroad and promote shark conservation globally. His organization, the Sustainable Shark Alliance was the main supported of this bill, along with Wildlife Conservation Society, many commercial fishing associations, and the leading shark scientists.
What you can do to help:
Bob Jones, the former long-time head of Southeastern Fisheries Association, is requesting an investigation by the Department of the Interior’s Inspector General into USFWS law enforcement division to determine if it has targeted Mark. Bob makes the point in his letter that “Selective Law Enforcement, especially targeting one individual citizen, is anathema in our society. It must never be tolerated.”
The letter was also sent to Senator Rubio’s office asking for his support in the investigation.
We are asking that you please take the time to write a letter to the Department of the Interior Inspector General to echo Bob Jones’ request for an investigation. Please also send a copy to your Senators and Representative in Congress. Here is a link to help you contact your representatives:
https://www.usa.gov/elected-officials/
Also ask them to oppose a national fin sales ban and support the Rubio/Webster/Lieu bill.
Every letter helps!
If you know Mark, you know that has always scrupulously adhered to the law and has worked with government agencies to better enforce our shark conservation laws. If you personally know Mark, please include any thoughts on his character. Finally, if you are all able, please donate to Mark’s defense fund on the Saving Seafood link:
https://www.savingseafood.org/shark-defense-fund
For those who have already donated and helped Mark thank you very much! You helped him to retain a solid defense attorney. However, he still has legal bills stemming from this unjust and vindictive prosecution. Mark can use your help to ensure his legal team can address the constitutional issues raised by his prosecution and ensure there is not only a future for the sustainability U.S. shark fishery but other fisheries as well.
If we don’t stop this abuse here, you, in the fishing industry, are likely the next target. This is America. By helping Mark, you will help other Americans and yourself.