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One Planet: Non-native species and shark fin soup

Factual: Science & Nature

27/01/2011

Non-native species and shark fin soup

BBC World Service - One Planet, Non-native species and shark fin soup

Fighting alien species in Florida and London, plus Hong Kong's tradition of shark fin soup

Fighting alien species in Florida and London, plus Hong Kong's tradition of shark fin soup.

As America gets set to embark on one of its largest ever culls of non-native animals and plants, One Planet considers the arguments over "foreign" species. 

A recent report claims that damage from these invasive animals and plants tops $1.4trillion a year - that's equivalent to 5% of the world's total economy. 

Mike sets out to discover why so many ecologists and campaigners are desperate, in this increasingly globalised world, to keep environments local. 

We go on a hunt for snakes in Florida, and speak to a British scientist about the fight against Japanese Knotweed. 

Plus we hear from Hong Kong, the hub of the trade in shark fins to learn about where demand for this controversial industry comes from.

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