Do you have an appetite for shark fin soup?

Every year over 73 million sharks die for one reason only – their fins.

To give a little detail into the shark fin soup controversy, the soup is served as delicacy in Chinese weddings and banquets and is very popular in Hong Kong. It is believed that over 73 million sharks are killed every year and it is a cultural stigma to say no to shark fin soup.

I happened to see a video of shark finning on youtube where they cut the fins of a living shark and throw the carcass of the shark back into the sea. Seriously, would you cut off your legs while you are still alive?


Sharks have been living in the oceans for 400 million years , but because of the increasing demand of shark fins, their population has decreased by 90%. Who knows, they might even be all gone by the year 2050.

Alternatives for the original soup -
It is said that the shark fin soup has no taste. It’s really about the consistency. So, for all shark fin soup lovers, there is a type of imitation shark fin that’s made of gelatin and is a pretty close second to the original soup.



The senators of many states have signed bans against the shark fin cruelty.
My fellow blogger over at IClaudio has blogged about the book “Demon Fish” written by Juliet Eilperin.

In the book, Juliet travels to Indonesia, Japan, Africa and North America in pursuit of sharks and she addresses the big question : after surviving all five global mass extinctions, can sharks make it through another decade of co-existing with us?
Be sure to check IClaudio’s blog and Juliet’s book.

Don’t we all have a responsibility to our future generations… to let them see and experience the beauty of the ocean?

Do write to me. What is your opinion about Shark Finning ?

Best,

Suma.