Finally, a shark tale with a happy ending.

Last week, a 62-year-old Welsh tourist pulled a six-and-a-half-foot dusky shark away from toddlers—with his bare hands—at Bullock Beach on Australia’s Sunshine Coast after hearing cries of alarm.

As the shark thrashed about in shallow waters, whipping its tail back and forth, Paul Marshallsea (yes, that’s actually his name) and wildlife expert Terry Dale nudged the predator into more open waters, most likely saving its life.

Dale told the BBC that the shark's odd behavior might be attributed to an unknown illness. And although Jaws may have scarred many of us for life, sharks—even sick ones—are worth saving.

Because thanks to humans, sharks are disappearing from our oceans at an alarming rate. Three weeks ago, a staggering photograph of thousands of shark fins drying on a Hong Kong roof went viral, a sobering reminder of the plight of these ocean animals.

Globally, 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins—a staggering death count that's led to a nearly 90 percent drop in shark populations in recent years. The fins are the main ingredient in shark fin soup, a prized delicacy in some Asian cultures. In October 2011, California Governor Jerry Brown signed a bill outlawing the sale and posession of shark fins. Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii have all enacted similar laws.

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Ban Shark Fin Soup and Save These Endangered Animals

Ban Shark Fin Soup and Save These Endangered Animals

Tens of millions of sharks are killed each year for their fins, considered a delicacy in some cuisines. The Humane Society of the United States, Oceana and a host of other animal rights groups have sought to ban this practice, calling it inhumane and unsustainable. Sign this petition to tell the governors of Florida, Massachusetts and New York to support a shark fin ban in their state.

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Florida Governor Richard Scott

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo

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Full Petition Text

Dear Governor,

I am disturbed by the continuing availability of shark fin soup at restaurants and markets in your state. According to the Humane Society of the United States, Oceana, and myriad other animal rights organizations, the process of shark finning is cruel and could result in depletion of endangered shark species. Additionally, the shark fin itself is largely flavorless and may be unhealthy to consume due to its high content of mercury and other neurotoxins.

Several U.S. states, including California, Hawaii and Oregon, have already banned the sale of dishes that include shark fin, and President Obama has signed the Shark Conservation Act, which prohibits U.S. fishermen from practicing shark finning.

Bills to ban the sale and distribution of shark fins have generally received strong bipartisan support. I am confident that if you demand results from your state legislature, a shark fin ban will not be difficult to implement.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

About The Petition

Shark fin soup has been considered a delicacy in many Chinese cuisines dating back to the Ming Dynasty of the 15th and 16th centuries. A symbol of wealth and status, it's often served at weddings, banquets or other celebrations.

In past years, however, the practice of shark finning has come under scrutiny from animal rights organizations, as it involves violently removing the fin and then dumping the shark, often still alive, back into the ocean. The process is not only inhumane, but can be detrimental to shark populations due to overfishing.

The Humane Society of the United States, Oceana, and a host of other animal rights organizations seek to educate the public about the unsustainable nature of foods containing shark fin, and the health problems it may cause due to mercury and other neurotoxins.

Though President Obama signed the Shark Conservation Act in 2011, and bans have already been implemented in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, shark fins are still legal to serve in much of the United States. Signing this petition will support the organizations looking to end the practice of shark finning.

Learn more about shark finning:

flickr Photo by Wyland, used from USFWS Headquarters

Thank you for signing!

You're helping support the work of animal rights organizations in banning the practice of shark finning in the United States and around the world.

Even after his frightening encounter, Marshallsea gave a tip of his cap to his finned foe.

"I know it was dangerous, but it almost looked beautiful," he told the BBC. "You have got to have respect for a beautiful animal."

While an Australian coastguard spokesman told the BBC that Marshallsea "did a great job," he also discouraged against the "manhandling sharks."

Related Stories on TakePart:

• Are You Eating Shark Fin Soup Too?

• California Bans Cruel Shark Finning

• Shark Reportedly Saves Man Lost at Sea

Andrew Freeman is a California native with a degree in history from UCLA. He’s covered a wide range of topics for TakePart, but is particularly interested in politics and policy.  Email Andrew |@natureofdabeast | TakePart.com