At the time the animal died the North Sea did not exist and the area was low-lying grassland connecting the British Isles to the continent.

BBC: Tim Batty, curator of the Dinosaur Museum, with the tusks

As severed fins could be easily stored, it made economic sense for fishing vessels to remove the fins at sea, rather than bringing the entire animal - which would quickly fill a vessel's cold storage areas - into port.

BBC: MEPs vote to close 'shark finning' loopholes

But killing even a few of the charismatic sea lions is bound to stir passions in the animal rights community.

NPR: Large Sea Lion Population Threatens Fishing

Organizations like Sea Shepherd, Greenpeace, The International Fund for Animal Welfare, the Humane Society and -- yes -- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals all campaign in various ways to stop the decimation of whales and other intelligent creatures of the sea.

CNN: Free the killer whale

The Dead Sea commandments were written in Hebrew on parchment made of animal skin.

FORBES: Ancient Ten Commandments Manuscript On Display

Finning is also deemed cruel because the fins are often removed while the animal is still alive - it then drowns when it is thrown back into the sea.

BBC: MEPs vote to close 'shark finning' loopholes