australians eating sharks flake-and-chips-australia-carte-blanche

Home » Are Australians Eating South Africa’s Sharks as Flake ‘n Chips?

Are Australians Eating South Africa’s Sharks as Flake ‘n Chips?

Could Australia’s Flake ‘n Chips be causing the demise of South Africa’s Great White Shark? In an investigative exposé on Sunday evening, Carte Blanche reveals that when the popularity of the Australian fast food “flake” – which is in fact shark – decimated that country’s local shark population, suppliers turned their sights on the fishing […]

By SAPeople Contributor
17-04-20 23:43
in Featured
australians eating sharks flake-and-chips-australia-carte-blanche

Could Australia’s Flake ‘n Chips be causing the demise of South Africa’s Great White Shark?

In an investigative exposé on Sunday evening, Carte Blanche reveals that when the popularity of the Australian fast food “flake” – which is in fact shark – decimated that country’s local shark population, suppliers turned their sights on the fishing waters off SA’s Western Cape coastline.

According to Carte Blanche, 30% of sharks and rays are threatened globally with extinction. South Africa has seen the dramatic decline in great white sharks in False Bay and Gansbaai and local scientists are linking this to one local fishery which is apparently supplying Australia.

According to the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, analysts at TRAFFIC (which monitors the global wildlife trade) had found in 2018 that “almost all the sharks caught in South Africa are exported, Australia being the largest market”.

The shark meat sold as ‘flake’ and made into fish and chips in Australia is meant to be made from Australian-caught gummy sharks, or from New Zealand’s rig sharks. But these recommendations are not legally binding, and so Australian fans of flake ‘n chips have no idea they’ve apparently been eating their way through sharks from South Africa.

It’s believed that smaller species of sharks – which is usually the Great Whites’ prey – are being targeted by a fishery off SA’s coast.

Although Orcas (killer whales) and natural movements have also been blamed for the disappearance of Great Whites in the area, those involved in the shark tourist industry have long been calling for the SA government to place a moratorium on shark demersal longlining.

As the sightings of Great White and other sharks have declined over several years, Carte Blanche investigates why experts say it will take 50 years for over-fished shark stocks to recover – and why the government has not heeded the dire warnings of its own scientists to implement safeguards.

(Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Derek Watts)

Watch the show overseas | Watch in SA on DStv Now

This Sunday’s Carte Blanche also assesses South Africa’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, visits townships and meets scientists working on a high-tech solution to future-proof our rhinos.

You can watch the show on Sunday 19 April in South Africa on DStv Now or stream it overseas in most countries from Tues 21 April if you’re abroad.

C O V I D – 1 9  >   H E A L T H   C H E C K   

South Africa’s Ground Zero

As the number of confirmed coronavirus cases worldwide passes two million, scientists warn that the true number is much higher. In South Africa, it’s the critical week to assess whether the government’s COVID-19 response has been effective. Carte Blanche examines how the public and private sectors in this country have rallied to set up facilities to detect and isolate the infected and treat patients.

Presenter Macfarlane Moleli says: “COVID-19 affects people differently in various areas. However, one gets the sense that it’s so much harder for the poorest communities. Walking around the township and seeing the state of helplessness of the elderly, seeing abo Gogo lined up on the streets waiting for food parcels, because they have nothing else, is really heart-breaking. We can only hope that when we come out of this, we are stronger as a nation and better as humanity.” 

(Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli)

Watch the show overseas | Watch in SA on DStv Now

The Township Challenge

The march of COVID-19 continues relentlessly through this country, where government and scientists have issued strenuous warnings about how deadly the highly contagious virus will be if it tears a path through densely constructed informal settlements, where social distancing and frequent handwashing remain challenging. Carte Blanche investigates whether lockdown can slow the virus in communities where millions of South Africans live from hand to mouth.(Producers: Ntokozo Miya & Mduduzi Miya | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli)

Watch the show overseas | Watch in SA on DStv Now

A N I M A L   W O N D E R

Rhino IVF

The rhino: it’s one of our most threatened species. But the team that brought us Africa’s first cloned animal is perfecting in vitro fertilisation – a radical solution to boost waning populations.

The rhino: it’s one of our most iconic – and most threatened – species. In captivity, where normal social structures are impossible, rhinos are notoriously difficult to breed. It’s a frustrating challenge for scientists desperately trying to save an endangered species. But now the team that brought you Africa’s first cloned animal is working on a high-tech solution to future-proof our rhinos.(Producer: Laura Byrne | Presenter: Claire Mawisa)

Watch the show overseas | Watch in SA on DStv Now

If you’re in SA – you can watch Carte Blanche on DStv Now.

If you’re overseas – you can watch #CarteBlanche from Tuesdays, and thousands of other popular local South African shows & movies by subscribing to Showmax International now. You can try it FREE for 14 days. 

Carte Blanche is on M-Net & M-Net HD [101], April 19 2020 at 19:00 & again on M-Net Plus 1 [901] at 20:00

***

Please note: Carte Blanche is only available to international Showmax subscribers in Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom. Not all titles are available in all territories. Showmax brings you the best South African series and movies, from the classics to the latest releases, from complete box sets to kids’ favourites.