Shark and Marine Conservation   Fins are changing 2010 Calendar Goes On Sale Making a stand Rick Stein stops selling shark H&B Stops Selling Shark Cartilage Waitrose Stops Swordfish Seven year ditch Down in ChinaTown Sharkwater debut at UK cinemas L'Oreal - Because Shark's are Worth It! Horrid day at Harrods Ocean's twelve Calendar girl takes top shot Making a killing out of sharks Keeping the faith Dead in the water Oceanic whitetip closer to extinction Bite-Back serves up shark victory     Holland & Barrett - Making a killing out of sharks Holland & Barrett, the high street Natural Food Store, has come under fire from UK’s leading shark and marine conservation organisation, Bite-Back, for the continued sale of Shark Cartilage capsules alongside everyday vitamins and supplements. According to Bite-Back, the sale of Shark Cartilage capsules is providing an unnecessary and additional incentive for fishermen to hunt and destroy shark populations. Campaign director at Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “Any industry that benefits from the death of sharks must be inspired to halt its trade. “Counter arguments from health food stores about by-catch can be immediately rejected since the sale of Shark Cartilage capsules only adds to the argument that sharks are more valuable dead than alive ” The Shark Cartilage in the Holland & Barrett capsules is extracted from the hugely vulnerable and fiercely overfished spiny dogfish. Capable of reaching between five and six feet long, female dogfish have a gestation period that can last an incredible 22 months – the same as an elephant – before they give birth to live young. The North East Atlantic stock is now considered to be depleted and may be in danger of collapse. The species also assessed as Critically Endangered by IUCN, the World Conservation Union. Graham Buckingham said: “The inclusion of Shark Cartilage capsules in Holland & Barrett stores is yet another example of how the retail industry is masterminding and endorsing the extinction of sharks.” Priced at £16.99 for 100, the Shark Cartilage capsules are marketed as a natural remedy for ailments including arthritis, joint problems and even cancer. John Coffey, a cancer biologist at John Hopkins University said: "I don't think there is any benefit in buying shark cartilage and eating it, any more than I think that eating rabbit will make me run faster." Bite-Back is working to eliminate the trade in all shark meat and its by-products in the UK. Already its campaign has prompted ASDA to remove shark meat from 190 stores across the UK along with several restaurants including Wagamama. Bite-Back was also instrumental in inspiring a tope shark fishery in Lowestoft to shelve its plans. Send Holland and Barrett a stop selling email now.