Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

The Pregnant Stingray Massacre Contest. Probably Not Environmentally Friendly

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Maryland and Virginia are home to stingray killing contests that some advocates claim serve to protect local seafood industries while others are uneasy about recreational mass-killing competitions.

As to the environmental necessity of such “contests”, there is room for debate.

According to the Census of Marine Life website, the (native) cownose stingray population, the species of ray that’s being hunted, has exploded due to, ironically, the overfishing of its main predator, sharks.

The result is that masses of cownose rays now populate the waters of the Mid-Atlantic U.S. According to various sources, this explosion of cownose stingrays single-handedly wiped out North Carolina’s bay scallop fishery industry. Because the rays feed on small shellfish, oyster and clam populations are also further depleted according to the University of North Carolina. Although, it would be remiss not to mention again that the reason they are depleted in the first place is due to overfishing and pollution.

In response, Virginia has actually come up with the slogan, “Save the Bay, Eat a Ray.”

The state is promoting the cownose stingray as seafood. The meaty ray packs about 7 lbs. of flesh which looks more like red meat than fish and supposedly tastes more like veal, steak, or pork, than seafood.

Consumers have so far been tepid, but with a little more marketing that could change. Americans used to look down on squid until it became “calamari.” Patagonian toothfish became Chilean sea bass, and what was once such a cheap fish that it could have been “given away,” it got so over-fished that consumers were discouraged from eating it.

Scientists fear the same fate for the cownose stingray if the market takes off, or if the killing contests get further out of hand.

As for the contests themselves, with so many dead rays (the most prized of which are pregnant females), it’s likely that hordes just get dumped at sea. If the overfishing of sharks and shellfish is what caused the problem in the first place, it’s hard to imagine how indulging in brazenly wasteful massacre will remedy the problem in the long-term.

Besides creating a stingray industry, shellfish hatcheries may be able to invest in technology which can protect their stocks from predators.

In the end, if both, the environmentalists and the hunters, are able to temper their ideologies and look at things soberly, it’s possible that coastal states’ shellfish industries can be protected, and that we may be able to avoid furthering man-made ecological and wildlife disasters.

www.visiontimes.com


Source: http://www.visiontimes.com/2015/01/17/the-pregnant-stingray-massacre-contest-probably-not-environmentally-friendly.html


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

    Comments

    Your Comments
    Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

    MOST RECENT
    Load more ...

    SignUp

    Login

    Newsletter

    Email this story
    Email this story

    If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

    If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.