Florida has long been known for its efforts toward marine conservation. The state is home to many organizations and regions of importance, such as Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida, the Ocean Research & Conservation Association—the list continues. We have made strides to protect the marine life that is so crucial to our state and to educate our visitors on the important role marine ecosystems and the creatures who inhabit them serve. We have worked to save the manatee, protect the sea turtles, regulate commercial and sport fishing, and yet we allow gift shops throughout the state to retail one of the most horrific products on the market today: a dead baby shark in a jar.

While I'm sure we can all agree that sharks are not cute, fluffy animals that have awe-inducing baby photos, yet they are just as worthy of conservation efforts as, say, a panda bear. Sharks are an integral part of our ecosystem. Sharks regulate the quantity and health of other marine life by feeding on unhealthy fish, a pattern which helps prevent the spread of disease among fish populations. Additionally, they control the populations of many fish species, eliminating the weak in the process, allowing the fish to develop a stronger, healthier gene pool. As apex predators, the role sharks play is vital to the entire food chain beneath them, including the algae which produces nearly half the oxygen on the planet. Without sharks maintaining the balance of the food chain, we could endanger the very air we breathe.

Mankind kills over 100 million sharks per year, with most of the deaths attributed to shark fin soup or medicinal uses. As appalling as the practice might be, even those shark deaths have a purpose. Killing baby sharks to keep in a jar on a desk serves no purpose at all and only perpetuates the looming extinction these majestic animals already face.

Florida lawmakers, we ask that you take this issue seriously and draft legislation banning the sale of these products in all retail outlets across our state. We're counting on you to continue Florida's role as a leader in marine conservation.

Please don't let us down.