Hassiem just want to give back to the sharks
Achmat Hassiem prepares to compete in the Men's 100m Butterfly - S10 swimming Final event at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Photo: KAY NIETFELD Achmat Hassiem prepares to compete in the Men's 100m Butterfly - S10 swimming Final event at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Photo: KAY NIETFELD
Johannesburg - As a child he always wanted to be a superhero. Now 34, Achmat Hassiem, aka Sharkboy, has made his dream come true. When he lost his leg to a shark bite in 2006, the energetic sportsman turned his situation to his advantage and realized another lifelong dream – to represent his country at the Olympics.
Hassiem took to the pool after the attack and first swam in the Paralympics in Beijing. He medalled in London and attended the recent Rio games. But Sharkboy’s real super-power is not in the pool but in front of people, relaying his passion for the very thing that left him limbless when he dived in to save his brother.
“I just want to give back to the shark. It was a shark that helped me realize my dreams and I owe it to these endangered sea creatures,” said Hassiem, who has joined The Pew Trust as an ambassador.
Sri Lanka, Maldives and Fiji brought an application to have Mobula rays, Thresher Sharks and Silky Sharks listed as Appendix 11 at this week’s CITES CoP17 held in Johannesburg.
Fifty countries have backed the submission and one of Sharkboy’s main objectives this week representing the endangered species, is to lobby for South Africa to join them.
“I want South Africa to be a champion for the sharks, just like the shark was a champion for me. SA is behind me when I compete in the Paralympics, now I want my home country to stand up.”
He said the global demand for shark fins far exceeds the supply and numbers had declined up to 70% across the range . They also have a very low fertility.
Hassiem grew up in Strandfontein Village and said the ocean was always a part of his life. “My Father was a fisherman and we lived off the ocean. My Brother just medalled at the International life-saving champs in Europe.”
When not training, Hassiem spends his time travelling around the World conducting motivational talks. This week, he can be found in the exhibition hall at CoP17 talking about his beloved sharks.
Over the last four months, governments around the world have taken part in eight workshops to solidify support for the three proposals. The documents came before the committee yesterday (Tuesday) and working groups were set up to discuss the submissions ahead of the vote next week.
@SamHartsie
Samantha.hartshorne@inl.co.za
Independent Media