Jerudong International School (JIS) yesterday invited John Lu of Shark Savers - an international organisation aimed at protecting sharks - to speak to the school's Year 12 IB Diploma Geographers on the importance of shark conservation as well as the importance of dedication in trying to achieve difficult goals.

Speaking on his campaign to stop the killing of sharks for its fins, John Lu said that the most important thing is to stay dedicated. "If you want to campaign for something that you think is right, hold on to it like a pit bull."

Shark Fin was a very popular delicacy, especially in the Chinese community, so his campaign was going against all odds. But with strong will and dedication, as well as a bit of love, he managed to bring the campaign into an epidemic success on a global proportion.

Since he began his campaign, trade and consumption on shark fins has gone down about 50 per cent in Hong Kong and 70 per cent in China and in other countries there were also decreased amount of consumption
His believed in educating people, in particular on the importance of keeping the circle of life in good shape, rather than through displaying or showing bloodied images or making harsh rallies or public demonstrations.

"Not knowing why, people will not be motivated to do something,"

He said his campaign is successful and far-reaching because it is centred on making people understand the impact on the world and on them if shark numbers continue to diminish. He places emphasis on the important role sharks have in the food chain cycle in the ocean.

From bringing the interest of conservation powerhouses WWF and WildAid to getting airtime on National
Geographic and high-profile celebrity endorsements - the campaign has grown to the point where "no one would refuse us", says Lu. The best part is, he said, everything about this grassroots movement is done on a pro Bono basis.

According to John Lu, this was his second time in Brunei; the first was when Brunei declared the banning of shark fins.

Yvonne Follows-Smith, a Geography teacher at JIS, said the Year 12 IB students just started a unit on oceans and they also are involved in some Community Action Service (CAS). Thus, as part of their IB requirements, the students need to be able to go out to do action work within the community.

She said the talk by John Lu was important not just for its academic content, but also for its motivation.

She said a lot of what John Lu was saying relates closely with the ECO JIS philosophy at JIS, because the students were very involved in the environmental matters.

In regards to shark fins, even though Brunei is amongst the first countries to ban shark fins, there are still shark fins being sold here illegally. She believed more awareness is needed to address the matter.

"If there is anyone who could do it, it is the students, because they are the ones who go out to the community and raise awareness," she said.

Source:
@BRUDIRECT.COM

by BruDirect.com

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