November 23

60 nations agree to ban shark finning, and whales begin beaching themselves near Tasmania.

Fri, Nov 23 2012 at 5:00 AM

Nov. 23, 2004: Sixty nations agree to a ban on shark finning in the Atlantic Ocean. Tens of millions of sharks die each year for the benefit of shark fin soup (at right), an Asian delicacy.

Nov. 23, 2007: While some celebrate this day as “Buy Nothing Day” – many others view the day after Thanksgiving as the first day in a month-long frenzy of Christmas shopping. “Buy Nothing Day” becomes a powerful statement against materialism. Or not.

Nov. 23, 2008: Rescuers are able to save eleven pilot whales in a mass stranding in Tasmania, Australia. At least 50 more whales perish. The following week, 150 more pilot whales beach, and two months later, dozens of sperm whales beach themselves near the site of this stranding.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

This feature is compiled by Peter Dykstra, an MNN contributor and publisher of Environmental Health News and The Daily Climate.

The opinions expressed by MNN Bloggers and those providing comments are theirs alone, and do not reflect the opinions of MNN.com. While we have reviewed their content to make sure it complies with our Terms and Conditions, MNN is not responsible for the accuracy of any of their information.

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