Mattel/Matchbox Mega Rig Shark Ship

[bottlefish]

Mattel/Matchbox have recently released a new product, the Mega Rig Shark Ship.

The product comprises of a shark, a diver with diving cage and parts to assemble a variety of ships complete with large harpoon to kill the shark. It promotes the idea that sharks are man eating menaces, that it is OK to hunt and kill sharks. It teaches children that destroying life is fun.

I have set up a petition at the following web address, asking Mattel to remove this product from their range.

http://www.gopetition.com/online/15258

If this makes your blood boil as much as mine, then please, go and sign.

For all you facebook junkies, there's also a cause been set up at the following:

http://apps.facebook.com/causes/view_cause/36709

I'll be posting updates on correspondence with Mattel to Facebbok as and when it happens.

Cheers

Stuart

[acelockco]

Not that I agree with hurting any animal, especially a shark I have to say I really like the toy. I am ordering one for my nephew's holiday gift right away before you get things going too crazy.

I mean, you don't have to shoot the shark, you can shoot the diver with the harpoon gun as well!

Maybe you should think of it as promoting diving. It's just a toy man....relax.

[lottie]

I read about this on another forum and it seems as if its a shark in a whale's clothing...that the manufacturer didn't want loads of complaints for using a whale, so used a shark instead.

[bottlefish]

It's just a toy man....relax.

That's what was said about Jaws, look how much damage that did to shark awareness and conservation.

Yep, they are only kids, and it's only play. But all games played, regardless of the animal that is playing, teaches some sort of lesson. Shouldn't we be careful what that lesson is?

Lottie's point is a valid one, and one worth thinking about. Would you be equally as blase if the shark was replaced by a whale? Or perhaps a safari jeep hunting tigers, lions or elephants?

Most people would see these products as unacceptable, Mattel wouldn't even bother trying. But the shark one gets through. Isn't that something worth thinking about and questioning?

[acelockco]

Isn't that something worth thinking about and questioning?

I don't know if it is worth questioning or not. To be honest, I liked Jaws as well.

Humm...I also liked Rambo, but you don't see me shootin' no peeps with an exploding arrow either. And even though exploding arrows sound cool, it is similar to what you are saying.

Maybe we can look at it in the way it is, a toy, which is make believe. Just like with army men you make believe they kill each other, in this you make believe you kill a shark.

I really do like the toy, because there are not many main stream scuba diver toys. I wish I had it when I was a kid, I loved boats, and divers. I kind of remember a toy when I was a kid that was similar, it was an orange boat with a shark cage and some other stuff. Does anyone remember this toy,? The keel of the boat had a single wheel on it so it would kind of roll.

[Sarah]

Here is what he is talking about:

[acelockco]

but not the one I am talking about.

[hbh2oguard]

Don't worry it's probably painted in Mexico with lead based paint and will be recalled in a few weeks

[bottlefish]

Humm...I also liked Rambo, but you don't see me shootin' no peeps with an exploding arrow either. And even though exploding arrows sound cool, it is similar to what you are saying.

Maybe we can look at it in the way it is, a toy, which is make believe. Just like with army men you make believe they kill each other, in this you make believe you kill a shark.

You were hopefully over 18 when you watched Rambo, hopefully by that stage you had some well founded morals in place. I doubt you'd want your 4 year old to watch it though, eh!

As for make believe in Kids? Doesn't it make them believe something? You use toy soldiers as an example, but soldiers do kill each other in the real world too. Kids learn that when they play war games. Kids playing with this toy will learn that sharks grow to huge sizes, eat divers whole and need to be killed. Not an ounce of fact there, and also encouraging them to look badly on sharks, in a time that shark conservation is becoming increasingly important.

Anyway, enough of my ramblings, you certainly aren't the first person who's taken the "It's just a toy stance", neither will you be the last. I would have been naive not to have expected such comments, and in all honesty, I do understand you're point, even if I don't agree with it.

[acelockco]

Cool,

I understand your point as well. It would be better if the boat was a "save the shark" boat and you could harpoon the shark fishermen, but it is not going to happen unfortunately.