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{{Short description|UK-based charity}}
{{Infobox non-profit
{{Infobox organization
| name = Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation
| image = Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation, official logo.jpg
| name = Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation
| type =
| image = BB 2017 square logo CMYK.jpg
| founded_date = 2004
| type =
| tax_id =
| founded_date = 2004
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| tax_id =
| registration_id = Charity No. 1137772
| location = [[London]], UK
| registration_id = Charity No. 1137772
| origins =
| location = [[London]], UK
| key_people =
| origins =
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| key_people = Graham Buckingham<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bite-back.com/team-bite-back/ |title= Team Bite-Back |publisher=Bite-Back|accessdate=26 November 2017}}</ref>
| leader_title = Patron
| leader_title = Patron
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| leader_name = [[Steve Backshall]]<ref name='Bite-Back'>{{cite web |url=http://www.bite-back.com/steve-backshall-becomes-bite-back-patron/ |title= Steve Backshall becomes Bite-Back patron|publisher=''Bite-Back''|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref>
| leader_name = [[Steve Backshall]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bite-back.com/steve-backshall-becomes-bite-back-patron/ |title= Steve Backshall becomes Bite-Back patron |publisher=Bite-Back|accessdate=1 October 2016}}</ref>
| area_served =
| product =
| product =
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| focus = [[Marine conservation]]
| mission = To halt the trade and consumption of vulnerable fish species, promote sustainable fishing, protect ocean habitats and inspire worldwide respect for the marine environment.
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| method = End the profit opportunities for shark-derived products in the UK and lower consumer and retailer demand for threatened marine life.
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| focus = [[Marine conservation]]
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| revenue =
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| method = End the profit opportunities for shark-derived products in the UK and lower consumer and retailer demand for threatened marine life.
| revenue =
| endowment =
| endowment =
| owner =
| num_volunteers =
| dissolved =
⚫
| website = {{URL|www.bite-back.com}}
| num_employees =
| num_members =
| footnotes =
⚫
| subsid =
⚫
| owner =
| non-profit_slogan = ''Defending the high seas on the high street''
| former name =
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| homepage = {{URL|www.bite-back.com}}
| dissolved =
| footnotes =
}}
}}


'''Bite-Back'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bite-back.com/ |title=Shark and Marine Conservation |publisher=Bite-Back |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> is a UK-based [[charitable organization|charity]] dedicated to shark and marine conservation which believes that [[over-fishing]], coupled with the over-consumption of wild fish, are the two biggest threats facing the marine world. Through its work<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tankedupmagazine.co.uk/archive/issue17/eco-chat-biteback |title=Issue 17 Eco Chat with BiteBack from the Archives of the Tanked Up Magazine |publisher=Tankedupmagazine.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> of defending the high seas on the high street it seeks to educate people about the issues facing the only truly wild items<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bite-back.com/were-wild-about-the-marine-environment/ |title=We’Re Wild About The Marine Environment |publisher=Bite-Back |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> stocked by supermarkets and to empower its supporters to help change the way fish is consumed. The charity's goal is to encourage retailers to put conservation before commerce.
'''Bite-Back'''<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bite-back.com/ |title=Shark and Marine Conservation |publisher=Bite-Back |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> is a UK-based [[charitable organization|charity]] dedicated to shark and marine conservation which believes that [[over-fishing]], coupled with the over-consumption of wild fish, are the two biggest threats facing the marine world. Through its work<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tankedupmagazine.co.uk/archive/issue17/eco-chat-biteback |title=Issue 17 Eco Chat with BiteBack from the Archives of the Tanked Up Magazine |publisher=Tankedupmagazine.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> it seeks to educate people about the issues facing the only truly wild items<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bite-back.com/were-wild-about-the-marine-environment/ |title=We'Re Wild About The Marine Environment |publisher=Bite-Back |date= 5 February 2013|accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> stocked by supermarkets and to empower its supporters to help change the way fish is consumed. The charity's goal is to encourage retailers to put conservation before commerce.


Founded in the UK in 2004 by Graham Buckingham<ref>{{cite web|author=Earth |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/5478440/Elle-McPherson-joins-celebrities-fighting-for-the-worlds-endangered-fish.html |title=Elle McPherson joins celebrities fighting for the world's endangered fish |publisher=Telegraph |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> the charity's online campaigns have primarily focused on encouraging restaurants and retailers to stop selling endangered fish species and [http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/make-britains-retailers-shark-free/ make Britain's retailers shark-free]. Bite-Back is working to ‘devalue’ a dead shark by ending the profit opportunities for all shark and shark-derived products in the UK including shark fin soup, shark cartilage, shark jaws, shark teeth and oils.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.visiondive.com/sites/protection/english/holland_and_barrett.html |title=Shark Cartilage Capsules at Holland & Barrett |publisher=Vision Dive}}</ref>
Founded in the UK in 2004 by Graham Buckingham<ref>{{cite news|author=Earth |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/5478440/Elle-McPherson-joins-celebrities-fighting-for-the-worlds-endangered-fish.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613003627/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/5478440/Elle-McPherson-joins-celebrities-fighting-for-the-worlds-endangered-fish.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=2009-06-13 |title=Elle McPherson joins celebrities fighting for the world's endangered fish |newspaper=Telegraph |date=2009-06-09 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> the charity's online campaigns have primarily focused on encouraging restaurants and retailers to stop selling endangered fish species and make Britain's retailers shark-free.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-03|title=Make Britain's Retailers Shark-Free - Bite-Back|url=http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/make-britains-retailers-shark-free/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034601/http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/make-britains-retailers-shark-free/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-03|access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref> Bite-Back is working to 'devalue' a dead shark by ending the profit opportunities for all shark and shark-derived products in the UK including shark fin soup, shark cartilage, shark jaws, shark teeth and oils.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.visiondive.com/sites/protection/english/holland_and_barrett.html |title=Shark Cartilage Capsules at Holland & Barrett |publisher=Vision Dive |access-date=2014-02-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140302223114/http://www.visiondive.com/sites/protection/english/holland_and_barrett.html |archive-date=2014-03-02 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


== Consumer campaigns ==
== Consumer campaigns ==


=== Supermarket protests ===
=== Supermarket Protests ===


Successes from its [http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/stop-the-supermarkets/ supermarket campaign] include persuading Japanese-inspired restaurant chain [[Wagamama]] to remove shark from its menu,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/restaurant-chain-bans-fish-dish-1108280 |title=Restaurant chain bans fish dish to help save sharks |publisher=Manchester Evening News |date=2007-02-15 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> encouraging supermarket giant [[Asda]] to take shark off its shelves across the UK<ref>{{cite web|last=Clover |first=Charles |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1476167/Asda-ends-shark-sales.html |title=Asda ends shark sales |publisher=Telegraph |date=2004-11-09 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> and [[Mary Berry (food writer)|Mary Berry]] - British chef, food writer and judge on the [[Great British Bake Off]] - to remove a shark recipe from her cookery book.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9800974/Mary-Berry-pulls-shark-recipe-from-cookery-book.html |title=Mary Berry pulls shark recipe from cookery book |publisher=Telegraph |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2261907/Mary-Berrys-shark-recipe-attacked-Twitter.html |title=Mary Berry's shark recipe attacked on Twitter &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date=2013-01-14 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>
Successes from its supermarket campaign include persuading Japanese-inspired restaurant chain [[Wagamama]] to remove shark from its menu,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/greater-manchester-news/restaurant-chain-bans-fish-dish-1108280 |title=Restaurant chain bans fish dish to help save sharks |newspaper=Manchester Evening News |date=2007-02-15 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> encouraging supermarket giant [[Asda]] to take shark off its shelves across the UK<ref>{{cite news|last=Clover |first=Charles |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1476167/Asda-ends-shark-sales.html |title=Asda ends shark sales |newspaper=Telegraph |date=2004-11-09 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> and [[Mary Berry (food writer)|Mary Berry]] – British chef, food writer and judge on the ''[[Great British Bake Off]]'' – to remove a shark recipe from her cookery book.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/9800974/Mary-Berry-pulls-shark-recipe-from-cookery-book.html |title=Mary Berry pulls shark recipe from cookery book |newspaper=Telegraph |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>


=== Hacked Off ===
=== Hacked Off ===


Its 'Hacked Off' campaign, which aims to halt the sale of [[shark fin soup]] in the United Kingdom, inspired the London-based Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant [[Hakkasan]] to stop selling the controversial soup.<ref>{{cite web|last=Taylor |first=Jerome |url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/hakkasan-drops-its-famed-pound40-shark-fin-soup-over-ethics-917895.html |title=Hakkasan drops its famed £40 shark fin soup over ethics - News - Food & Drink |publisher=The Independent |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Hakkasan-removes-unethical-shark-fin-soup-from-menu |title=Hakkasan removes ‘unethical’ shark-fin soup from menu |publisher=Bighospitality.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> As part of the organisation's quest to devalue a dead shark and make the UK shark-free, Bite-Back encourages its supporters to contribute to its '[http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/report-shark-sightings/ shark sightings]' map, a comprehensive collection of shops, fishmongers and restaurants which still continue to sell shark products.
Its 'Hacked Off' campaign, which aims to halt the sale of [[shark fin soup]] in the United Kingdom, inspired the London-based Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant [[Hakkasan]] to stop selling the controversial soup.<ref>{{cite news|last=Taylor |first=Jerome |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/hakkasan-drops-its-famed-pound40-shark-fin-soup-over-ethics-917895.html |title=Hakkasan drops its famed £40 shark fin soup over ethics - News - Food & Drink |newspaper=The Independent |date=2008-09-03 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Paskin|first=Becky|url=http://www.bighospitality.co.uk/Business/Hakkasan-removes-unethical-shark-fin-soup-from-menu |title=Hakkasan removes 'unethical' shark-fin soup from menu |publisher=BigHospitality.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref> Having spearheaded efforts across the UK to reduce shark fin sales, in 2018 the charity reported that the number of British restaurants serving shark fin soup had reduced by 82%.<ref>{{cite web|last=Williamson|first=Harriet |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/14/why-are-restaurants-in-the-uk-still-serving-shark-fin-soup-7716124/?ito=cbshare |title=Why are restaurants in the UK still serving shark fin soup? |publisher=Metro |date=2018-07-14 |accessdate=2018-08-07}}</ref>


As part of the organisation's quest to devalue a dead shark and make the UK shark-free, Bite-Back encourages its supporters to contribute to its '[https://web.archive.org/web/20131030134752/http://www.bite-back.com/campaigns/report-shark-sightings/ shark sightings]' map, a comprehensive collection of shops, fishmongers and restaurants which still continue to sell shark products.
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In 2014 it worked with one of its fundraising partners, [[Sea Life London Aquarium]], to capitalise on the Chinese New Year to rally supporters and raise awareness of shark finning by distributing ‘mis-fortune cookies’ containing special messages focusing on the issue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nelson|first=Kate|url=http://www.london24.com/news/shark_fin_soup_protestors_to_rally_at_london_chinese_new_year_celebrations_1_3273032|title=Shark fin soup protestors to rally at London Chinese New Year celebrations|publisher=London 24|date=2014-02-02|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711155349/http://www.london24.com/news/shark_fin_soup_protestors_to_rally_at_london_chinese_new_year_celebrations_1_3273032|archivedate=2015-07-11|df=}}</ref>

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In 2014 it worked with one of its fundraising partners, [[Sea Life London Aquarium]], to capitalise on the Chinese New Year to rally supporters and raise awareness of shark finning by distributing ‘mis-fortune cookies’ containing special messages focusing on the issue.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nelson|first=Kate|url=http://www.london24.com/news/shark_fin_soup_protestors_to_rally_at_london_chinese_new_year_celebrations_1_3273032|title=Shark fin soup protestors to rally at London Chinese New Year celebrations|publisher=London 24|date=2014-02-02|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711155349/http://www.london24.com/news/shark_fin_soup_protestors_to_rally_at_london_chinese_new_year_celebrations_1_3273032|archivedate=2015-07-11}}</ref>


=== No Fin To Declare ===
=== No Fin To Declare ===


After collaborating with The Independent's Oscar Quine <ref>{{cite web|last=Quine|first=Oscar|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/pot-of-gold-tasting-the-worlds-most-expensive-tea-10006679.html |title=Pot of gold: tasting the world’s most expensive tea |publisher=The Independent |date=2015-01-27}}</ref> to call a top London restaurant's shark fin supply into question, Bite-Back worked with Trading Standards and Westminster City Council to investigate their source. The Royal China Club was subsequently found to have been illegally importing shark fins for its £38 a bowl soup<ref>{{cite web|last=Quine|first=Oscar|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/illegal-shark-fins-discovered-at-exclusive-london-chinese-restaurant-10188322.html |title=Illegal shark fins discovered at exclusive London Chinese restaurant |publisher=The Independent |date=2015-04-19}}</ref> and its stock was confiscated and destroyed.<ref>{{cite web|last=Pleasance|first=Chris|url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3048340/Shark-fin-soup-menu-dozens-Chinese-restaurants-use-loophole-allows-passengers-bring-personal-consumption.html |title=Shark fin soup on the menu in dozens of UK Chinese restaurants |publisher=Daily Mail|date=2015-04-21}}</ref>
After collaborating with ''The Independent''<nowiki/>'s Oscar Quine<ref>{{cite news|last=Quine|first=Oscar|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/pot-of-gold-tasting-the-worlds-most-expensive-tea-10006679.html |title=Pot of gold: tasting the world's most expensive tea |newspaper=The Independent |date=2015-01-27}}</ref> to call a top London restaurant's shark fin supply into question, Bite-Back worked with Trading Standards and Westminster City Council to investigate their source. The Royal China Club was subsequently found to have been illegally importing shark fins for its £38 a bowl soup.<ref>{{cite news|last=Quine|first=Oscar|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/illegal-shark-fins-discovered-at-exclusive-london-chinese-restaurant-10188322.html |title=Illegal shark fins discovered at exclusive London Chinese restaurant |newspaper=The Independent |date=2015-04-19}}</ref>

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Having exposed a loophole in European legislation that allows anyone entering Europe to bring {{Convert|20|kg|abbr=on}} of dried shark fins, the charity launched its No Fin To Declare campaign in April 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2015-04-24|title=BITE-BACK EXPOSES SHARK FIN LOOPHOLE|url=https://www.bite-back.com/2015/04/24/bite-back-exposes-shark-fin-loophole/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Bite-Back|language=en-GB}}</ref> Bite-Back maintains that each 20&nbsp;kg haul can make 700 bowls of shark fin soup and, at £180 per kg,<ref>{{cite web|last=Coles|first=Sarah|url=http://money.aol.co.uk/2015/04/21/shark-fin-soup-on-sale-in-the-uk-exploiting-loophole/ |title=Shark fin soup on sale in the UK - exploiting loophole |publisher=AOL Money |date=2015-04-21}}</ref> be worth over £3,600, prompting restaurants to abuse personal import allowances as a 'back door' for the unregulated introduction of shark fins to the restaurant trade.

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The charity is currently working with the Marine Species Conservation team at [[Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs|DEFRA]] and Green MEP [[Jean Lambert]] to change the personal import allowance, re-evaluate the legislation and vote to make it illegal to bring any shark fins into the EU.

== Media activity ==

=== Mind Your Language ===

In July 2018 Bite-Back launched a campaign for responsible shark journalism,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bite-back.com/2018/07/30/mind-your-language/|title = Mind Your Language|date = 30 July 2018}}</ref> reminding media that [[Jaws (film)|Jaws]] was not a documentary and calling for the press to stop describing sharks as 'killers', 'monsters' and 'beasts'. Supported by celebrities including [[Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall]] and [[Steve Backshall]], the charity's "[https://www.bite-back.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/BB_MGs.pdf Media Guidelines]" aim to help UK and international press report shark encounters more accurately and in a way that won't thwart shark conservation initiatives.

The campaign also received the support of Wendy Benchley,<ref>{{cite news|last=Webster|first=Ben|url=https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/stop-demonising-poor-sharks-pleads-widow-of-jaws-author-peter-benchley-8mlqqrpnh |title=Stop demonising poor sharks, pleads widow of Jaws author Peter Benchley |newspaper=The Times |accessdate=2018-08-10}}</ref> wife of [[Jaws (novel)|''Jaws'']] author [[Peter Benchley]], who worked with her husband as a marine conservation advocate to overcome the excessive fear of sharks prompted by the novel.<ref>{{cite news|last=Lea|first=Martin|url=http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/16409495.hugh-fearnley-whittingstall-backs-bite-back-shark-marine-conservations-responsible-shark-journalism-campaign/ |title=Describing sharks as 'monsters' and 'killers' is hampering conservation efforts |newspaper=Dorset Echo |accessdate=2018-08-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Dockerill|first=Lorna|url=https://www.scubadivermag.com/tv-presenters-back-shark-charitys-call-for-responsible-journalism/ |title=TV Presenters Back Shark Charity's Call for Responsible Journalism |publisher=Scuba Diver Magazine |date= |accessdate=2018-08-13}}</ref>

Bite-Back's quest to inspire responsible shark journalism inspired much debate across national radio stations, with campaign director Graham Buckingham interviewed by UK stations including [[Heart (radio network)|Heart]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.heart.co.uk/southwest/news/local/stop-calling-sharks-man-eaters/|title = Stop calling sharks "Man-eaters"}}</ref> [[LBC]]<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/presenters/nick-ferrari/nick-ferraris-brilliant-response-sharks-cows/ | title=Nick Ferrari's Brilliant Response to Man Who Says Cows Are More Dangerous Than Sharks }}</ref> and on the [[BBC Radio 2]] Breakfast Show.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p06gsrhy/|title=BBC Radio 2 - the Chris Evans Breakfast Show, 07/08/2018, Let's help our finned friends!}}</ref>

=== Shocking Shark Stats ===


Research<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bite-back.com/2017/11/26/shocking-shark-statistics/ | title=Shocking Shark Statistics | date=26 November 2017 }}</ref> commissioned by Bite-Back in November 2017 into attitudes towards sharks and the oceans found that Brits are in love with the oceans, but not with sharks. While 83% think more should be done to protect the world's oceans, the charity found that 46% of Brits think sharks are more terrifying than spiders, snakes and rodents combined<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/07/14/without-sharks-the-worlds-oceans-are-ruined-7636456/|title = Without sharks the world's oceans would be ruined|date = 14 July 2018}}</ref> while nearly two-thirds (64%) would prefer sharks not to exist.
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Having exposed a loophole in European legislation that allows anyone entering Europe to bring 20&nbsp;kg of dried shark fins, the charity launched its [http://www.bite-back.com/bite-back-exposes-shark-fin-loophole/ No Fin To Declare] campaign in April 2015. Bite-Back maintains that each 20&nbsp;kg haul can make 700 bowls of shark fin soup and, at £180 per kilo,<ref>{{cite web|last=Coles|first=Sarah|url=http://money.aol.co.uk/2015/04/21/shark-fin-soup-on-sale-in-the-uk-exploiting-loophole/ |title=Shark fin soup on sale in the UK - exploiting loophole |publisher=AOL Money |date=2015-04-21}}</ref> be worth over £3,600, prompting restaurants to abuse personal import allowances as a 'back door' for the unregulated introduction of shark fins to the restaurant trade.


The survey into public perception of the apex predator highlighted the need for educational efforts to highlight the importance of sharks at a time when humans kill 73 million sharks a year. Of the three sharks easily named by the public – [[Great white shark|great white]] (89%), [[Hammerhead shark|hammerhead]] (80%) and [[Tiger shark|tiger]] (67%) – each have seen populations plummet by as much as 90% in some parts of the world in the past 50 years.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/feb/18/conservation.aaas|title=Shark species face extinction amid overfishing and appetite for fins|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=18 February 2008}}</ref>
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The charity is currently working with the Marine Species Conservation team at [[DEFRA]] and Green MEP [[Jean Lambert]] to change the personal import allowance, re-evaluate the legislation and vote to make it illegal to bring any shark fins into the EU.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==


* In 2014 Bite-Back secured a three-year partnership deal with Sea Life London Aquarium, including funding to develop further educational and engagement programmes. As part of this, the charity was presented with a designated area at the high-profile visitor attraction to deliver its campaign messages and also celebrated its [http://www.bite-back.com/now-were-ten/ tenth anniversary] in October 2014 with a VIP birthday party.
* In 2014 Bite-Back secured a three-year partnership deal with Sea Life London Aquarium, including funding to develop further educational and engagement programmes. As part of this, the charity was presented with a designated area at the high-profile visitor attraction to deliver its campaign messages and also celebrated its tenth anniversary in October 2014 with a VIP birthday party.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-10-30|title=Now we're ten|url=https://www.bite-back.com/2014/10/30/now-were-ten/|access-date=2021-06-18|website=Bite-Back|language=en-GB}}</ref>
* In 2012 Bite-Back worked with the international advertising agency [[Ogilvy & Mather]] to produce a TV commercial entitled "[http://www.bite-back.com/fin-help-end-the-horror/ Fin - help end the horror]". Created to highlight the barbaric practice of [[shark finning|shark-finning]], the advert<ref>{{cite web|author=Avg.Score |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/thework/1157260/ |title=Bite-Back 'fin' by Ogilvy & Mather London &#124; View ad creative on Campaign |publisher=Campaignlive.co.uk |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ogilvy.co.uk/ogilvy-and-mather-advertising/ogilvy%E2%80%99s-haunting-film-for-bite-back-exposes-gory-truth-about-shark-fishing/ |title=Ogilvy & Mather Advertising » Blog Archive » Ogilvy’s Haunting Film for Bite-Back Exposes Gory Truth about Shark Fishing |publisher=Ogilvy.co.uk |date=2012-11-19 |accessdate=2013-12-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225714/http://www.ogilvy.co.uk/ogilvy-and-mather-advertising/ogilvy%E2%80%99s-haunting-film-for-bite-back-exposes-gory-truth-about-shark-fishing/ |archivedate=2013-12-02 |df= }}</ref> was deemed too graphic for TV viewing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/1656800/shark_finning_film_too_graphic_for_tv.html |title=Shark finning film too graphic for TV |publisher=Divernet |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-12-01 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003832/http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/1656800/shark_finning_film_too_graphic_for_tv.html |archivedate=2013-12-03 |df= }}</ref> Receiving an 18-certificate cinema rating, the hard-hitting black and white ad went on to be shortlisted for a Panda award for 'best campaign film' at the [[Wildscreen Festival]] the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.causes.com/causes/2730-save-the-sharks/updates/618198-fin-campaign-film-from-bite-back-shark-and-marine-conservation |title="Fin" - Campaign Film from Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation · Causes |publisher=Causes.com |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>
* In 2012 Bite-Back worked with the international advertising agency [[Ogilvy & Mather]] to produce a TV commercial entitled "[http://www.bite-back.com/fin-help-end-the-horror/ Fin - help end the horror]". Created to highlight the shark-killing practice of [[shark finning|shark-finning]], the advert<ref>{{cite web|author=Avg.Score |url=http://www.campaignlive.co.uk/thework/1157260/ |title=Bite-Back 'fin' by Ogilvy & Mather London &#124; View ad creative on Campaign |publisher=Campaignlive.co.uk |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ogilvy.co.uk/ogilvy-and-mather-advertising/ogilvy%E2%80%99s-haunting-film-for-bite-back-exposes-gory-truth-about-shark-fishing/ |title=Ogilvy & Mather Advertising » Blog Archive » Ogilvy's Haunting Film for Bite-Back Exposes Gory Truth about Shark Fishing |publisher=Ogilvy.co.uk |date=2012-11-19 |accessdate=2013-12-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202225714/http://www.ogilvy.co.uk/ogilvy-and-mather-advertising/ogilvy%E2%80%99s-haunting-film-for-bite-back-exposes-gory-truth-about-shark-fishing/ |archivedate=2013-12-02 }}</ref> was deemed too graphic for TV viewing.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/1656800/shark_finning_film_too_graphic_for_tv.html |title=Shark finning film too graphic for TV |publisher=Divernet |date=2012-10-30 |accessdate=2013-12-01 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203003832/http://www.divernet.com/home_diving_news/1656800/shark_finning_film_too_graphic_for_tv.html |archivedate=2013-12-03 }}</ref> Receiving an 18-certificate cinema rating, the black and white ad went on to be shortlisted for a Panda award for 'best campaign film' at the [[Wildscreen Festival]] the same year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.causes.com/causes/2730-save-the-sharks/updates/618198-fin-campaign-film-from-bite-back-shark-and-marine-conservation |title="Fin" - Campaign Film from Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation · Causes |publisher=Causes.com |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>
* Bite-Back's [http://www.bite-back.com/gordon-and-hugh-sign-up-to-bite-back/ shark fin soup campaign] has received [http://www.bite-back.com/about/bite-back-celebrities/ celebrity support] from renowned chefs, including [[Gordon Ramsay]] and [[Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall]], Charles Clover, author of [[The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat|'The End of the Line: How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat']] plus British actor [[Martin Clunes]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sportdiver.co.uk/News/Latest-News/Gordon-fronts-Bite-Back-Soup-er-stars |title=Gordon fronts Bite-Back 'Soup-er' stars |publisher=Sportdiver.co.uk |date= |accessdate=2013-12-01}}</ref>
* Bite-Back's [http://www.bite-back.com/gordon-and-hugh-sign-up-to-bite-back/ shark fin soup campaign] has received celebrity support from renowned chefs, including [[Gordon Ramsay]] and [[Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall]], Charles Clover, author of [[The End of the Line: How Overfishing Is Changing the World and What We Eat|''The End of the Line: How overfishing is changing the world and what we eat'']] plus actor [[Martin Clunes]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-12-03|title=Bite-Back Celebrities - Bite-Back|url=http://www.bite-back.com/about/bite-back-celebrities/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034557/http://www.bite-back.com/about/bite-back-celebrities/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2013-12-03|access-date=2021-06-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sportdiver.co.uk/News/Latest-News/Gordon-fronts-Bite-Back-Soup-er-stars |title=Gordon fronts Bite-Back 'Soup-er' stars |publisher=Sportdiver.co.uk |accessdate=2013-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203191406/http://www.sportdiver.co.uk/News/Latest-News/Gordon-fronts-Bite-Back-Soup-er-stars |archive-date=2013-12-03 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
* The charity's founder, Graham Buckingham, has spoken at two [[TEDx]] events, the first in November 2016 on "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOTRDMXbsug Defending Jaws]" and the second in January 2018 revealing "[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ek3MbbNnwMs The Terrifying Truth About Sharks]"
* Its annual [http://www.bite-back.com/2014-calendar/ fundraising calendar] also unites some of the world's most acclaimed underwater photographers, including [[David Doubilet]], [[Brian Skerry]], Alex Mustard and Doug Perrine.
* Its annual fundraising calendar<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.metro.news/blue-planet-on-your-wall-2018-calendar-captures-beauty-beneath-the-waves/830155/ |title=2018 calendar captures beauty beneath the waves |publisher=Metro.news |date=2017-11-24}}</ref> unites some of the world's most acclaimed underwater photographers, including [[David Doubilet]], [[Brian Skerry]], Alex Mustard and Doug Perrine.


==References==
==References==
Line 66: Line 78:
==External links==
==External links==
*[http://www.bite-back.com Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation]
*[http://www.bite-back.com Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation]
*[https://www.facebook.com/teambiteback Bite-Back Facebook page]


[[Category:Fish conservation organizations]]
[[Category:Fish conservation organizations]]

Latest revision as of 22:35, 31 May 2024

Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation
Founded2004
Registration no.Charity No. 1137772
FocusMarine conservation
Location
MethodEnd the profit opportunities for shark-derived products in the UK and lower consumer and retailer demand for threatened marine life.
Patron
Steve Backshall[1]
Key people
Graham Buckingham[2]
Websitewww.bite-back.com

Bite-Back[3] is a UK-based charity dedicated to shark and marine conservation which believes that over-fishing, coupled with the over-consumption of wild fish, are the two biggest threats facing the marine world. Through its work[4] it seeks to educate people about the issues facing the only truly wild items[5] stocked by supermarkets and to empower its supporters to help change the way fish is consumed. The charity's goal is to encourage retailers to put conservation before commerce.

Founded in the UK in 2004 by Graham Buckingham[6] the charity's online campaigns have primarily focused on encouraging restaurants and retailers to stop selling endangered fish species and make Britain's retailers shark-free.[7] Bite-Back is working to 'devalue' a dead shark by ending the profit opportunities for all shark and shark-derived products in the UK including shark fin soup, shark cartilage, shark jaws, shark teeth and oils.[8]

Consumer campaigns

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Supermarket Protests

[edit]

Successes from its supermarket campaign include persuading Japanese-inspired restaurant chain Wagamama to remove shark from its menu,[9] encouraging supermarket giant Asda to take shark off its shelves across the UK[10] and Mary Berry – British chef, food writer and judge on the Great British Bake Off – to remove a shark recipe from her cookery book.[11]

Hacked Off

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Its 'Hacked Off' campaign, which aims to halt the sale of shark fin soup in the United Kingdom, inspired the London-based Michelin-starred Chinese restaurant Hakkasan to stop selling the controversial soup.[12][13] Having spearheaded efforts across the UK to reduce shark fin sales, in 2018 the charity reported that the number of British restaurants serving shark fin soup had reduced by 82%.[14]

As part of the organisation's quest to devalue a dead shark and make the UK shark-free, Bite-Back encourages its supporters to contribute to its 'shark sightings' map, a comprehensive collection of shops, fishmongers and restaurants which still continue to sell shark products.

In 2014 it worked with one of its fundraising partners, Sea Life London Aquarium, to capitalise on the Chinese New Year to rally supporters and raise awareness of shark finning by distributing ‘mis-fortune cookies’ containing special messages focusing on the issue.[15]

No Fin To Declare

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After collaborating with The Independent's Oscar Quine[16] to call a top London restaurant's shark fin supply into question, Bite-Back worked with Trading Standards and Westminster City Council to investigate their source. The Royal China Club was subsequently found to have been illegally importing shark fins for its £38 a bowl soup.[17]

Having exposed a loophole in European legislation that allows anyone entering Europe to bring 20 kg (44 lb) of dried shark fins, the charity launched its No Fin To Declare campaign in April 2015.[18] Bite-Back maintains that each 20 kg haul can make 700 bowls of shark fin soup and, at £180 per kg,[19] be worth over £3,600, prompting restaurants to abuse personal import allowances as a 'back door' for the unregulated introduction of shark fins to the restaurant trade.

The charity is currently working with the Marine Species Conservation team at DEFRA and Green MEP Jean Lambert to change the personal import allowance, re-evaluate the legislation and vote to make it illegal to bring any shark fins into the EU.

Media activity

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Mind Your Language

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In July 2018 Bite-Back launched a campaign for responsible shark journalism,[20] reminding media that Jaws was not a documentary and calling for the press to stop describing sharks as 'killers', 'monsters' and 'beasts'. Supported by celebrities including Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Steve Backshall, the charity's "Media Guidelines" aim to help UK and international press report shark encounters more accurately and in a way that won't thwart shark conservation initiatives.

The campaign also received the support of Wendy Benchley,[21] wife of Jaws author Peter Benchley, who worked with her husband as a marine conservation advocate to overcome the excessive fear of sharks prompted by the novel.[22][23]

Bite-Back's quest to inspire responsible shark journalism inspired much debate across national radio stations, with campaign director Graham Buckingham interviewed by UK stations including Heart,[24] LBC[25] and on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.[26]

Shocking Shark Stats

[edit]

Research[27] commissioned by Bite-Back in November 2017 into attitudes towards sharks and the oceans found that Brits are in love with the oceans, but not with sharks. While 83% think more should be done to protect the world's oceans, the charity found that 46% of Brits think sharks are more terrifying than spiders, snakes and rodents combined[28] while nearly two-thirds (64%) would prefer sharks not to exist.

The survey into public perception of the apex predator highlighted the need for educational efforts to highlight the importance of sharks at a time when humans kill 73 million sharks a year. Of the three sharks easily named by the public – great white (89%), hammerhead (80%) and tiger (67%) – each have seen populations plummet by as much as 90% in some parts of the world in the past 50 years.[29]

Recognition

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Steve Backshall becomes Bite-Back patron". Bite-Back. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  2. ^ "Team Bite-Back". Bite-Back. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. ^ "Shark and Marine Conservation". Bite-Back. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  4. ^ "Issue 17 Eco Chat with BiteBack from the Archives of the Tanked Up Magazine". Tankedupmagazine.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  5. ^ "We'Re Wild About The Marine Environment". Bite-Back. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  6. ^ Earth (2009-06-09). "Elle McPherson joins celebrities fighting for the world's endangered fish". Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2009-06-13. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  7. ^ "Make Britain's Retailers Shark-Free - Bite-Back". 2013-12-03. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  8. ^ "Shark Cartilage Capsules at Holland & Barrett". Vision Dive. Archived from the original on 2014-03-02. Retrieved 2014-02-23.
  9. ^ "Restaurant chain bans fish dish to help save sharks". Manchester Evening News. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  10. ^ Clover, Charles (2004-11-09). "Asda ends shark sales". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  11. ^ "Mary Berry pulls shark recipe from cookery book". Telegraph. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  12. ^ Taylor, Jerome (2008-09-03). "Hakkasan drops its famed £40 shark fin soup over ethics - News - Food & Drink". The Independent. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  13. ^ Paskin, Becky. "Hakkasan removes 'unethical' shark-fin soup from menu". BigHospitality.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  14. ^ Williamson, Harriet (2018-07-14). "Why are restaurants in the UK still serving shark fin soup?". Metro. Retrieved 2018-08-07.
  15. ^ Nelson, Kate (2014-02-02). "Shark fin soup protestors to rally at London Chinese New Year celebrations". London 24. Archived from the original on 2015-07-11.
  16. ^ Quine, Oscar (2015-01-27). "Pot of gold: tasting the world's most expensive tea". The Independent.
  17. ^ Quine, Oscar (2015-04-19). "Illegal shark fins discovered at exclusive London Chinese restaurant". The Independent.
  18. ^ "BITE-BACK EXPOSES SHARK FIN LOOPHOLE". Bite-Back. 2015-04-24. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  19. ^ Coles, Sarah (2015-04-21). "Shark fin soup on sale in the UK - exploiting loophole". AOL Money.
  20. ^ "Mind Your Language". 30 July 2018.
  21. ^ Webster, Ben. "Stop demonising poor sharks, pleads widow of Jaws author Peter Benchley". The Times. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  22. ^ Lea, Martin. "Describing sharks as 'monsters' and 'killers' is hampering conservation efforts". Dorset Echo. Retrieved 2018-08-10.
  23. ^ Dockerill, Lorna. "TV Presenters Back Shark Charity's Call for Responsible Journalism". Scuba Diver Magazine. Retrieved 2018-08-13.
  24. ^ "Stop calling sharks "Man-eaters"".
  25. ^ "Nick Ferrari's Brilliant Response to Man Who Says Cows Are More Dangerous Than Sharks".
  26. ^ "BBC Radio 2 - the Chris Evans Breakfast Show, 07/08/2018, Let's help our finned friends!".
  27. ^ "Shocking Shark Statistics". 26 November 2017.
  28. ^ "Without sharks the world's oceans would be ruined". 14 July 2018.
  29. ^ "Shark species face extinction amid overfishing and appetite for fins". TheGuardian.com. 18 February 2008.
  30. ^ "Now we're ten". Bite-Back. 2014-10-30. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  31. ^ Avg.Score (2012-10-30). "Bite-Back 'fin' by Ogilvy & Mather London | View ad creative on Campaign". Campaignlive.co.uk. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  32. ^ "Ogilvy & Mather Advertising » Blog Archive » Ogilvy's Haunting Film for Bite-Back Exposes Gory Truth about Shark Fishing". Ogilvy.co.uk. 2012-11-19. Archived from the original on 2013-12-02. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  33. ^ "Shark finning film too graphic for TV". Divernet. 2012-10-30. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  34. ^ ""Fin" - Campaign Film from Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation · Causes". Causes.com. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  35. ^ "Bite-Back Celebrities - Bite-Back". 2013-12-03. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  36. ^ "Gordon fronts Bite-Back 'Soup-er' stars". Sportdiver.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved 2013-12-01.
  37. ^ "2018 calendar captures beauty beneath the waves". Metro.news. 2017-11-24.
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