Shark Fin Soup: Just Say No!

Conservationist’s Warning

A large part of the trade in shark fin come from a process called “finning,” -the cutting off of the fins of living sharks which are often still alive and they are cast back into the sea to either suffocate due to inability to move or swim, or be ravaged by other sharks that sense the blood. Millions of sharks each years die to satiate the growing appetite for Shark Fin Soup. Chinese New Year marks the highest demand for it. This appalling practice must stop.

What if the Sharks Disappeared?

Shark attacks on humans number about 100 worldwide annually, resulting in about 10 human deaths. We humans kill a staggering number of sharks annually mostly for their fins. The World Conservation Union states the number of sharks killed range from the 38-million to as high as 70-million+ sharks each year are taken for their prized fins. Sharks have FAR more to fear from us than we from them. And what if sharks disappeared from the world’s oceans entirely? Some sharks eat rays and skates, a form of bottom-dweller that eats clams and scallops. If the number of sharks decline, the alpha-predator of oceans, -the number of skates and rays would probably increase meaning more clams and scallops are being consumed. Think about that. Clam chowder may be the next endangered item on the menu.

Sharks are the cleaning stewards of the oceans; this top-level predator helps to keep the sea ecosystem in check. The clean-up dead and injured creatures. Predators are required.

Already, we are seeing increasing numbers of rays and skates which are, as stated. shellfish eaters. Their abnormal increase of numbers means that more clams and other shellfish are going to be consumed by their rising numbers. Clam harvests are starting to show decline. If we lose the sharks of the world’s oceans we will lose clams, scallops and other common marine shellfish too. We need sharks in the ocean to keep the balance.

Health Benefits from Shark Fin Soup?

No, not really, From the web site sharkfinsoup.ca comes this quote:

“….After many years of scientific study what has actually been discovered is scientists have found the sharks are contaminated with mercury, lead, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) and other highly toxic poisons.

As well many people have said sharks don’t get cancer, well yes they do. Scientists again have proven that sharks do get cancer and get many malignant tumors and cancerous lesions….”

Shark fins may have once been ‘pure’ or safe to eat but their contamination should not be the only reason to stop eating this product. It is the cruel, ruthless and inhumane the way that we acquire the shark product in question. With the recent rise in general Chinese wealth, there has been a rapid increase in the desire for this once rarefied delicacy. The worldwide shark population is stated to have been reduced by some 90% due to irresponsible over-harvesting for human needs and wants, namely, finning practices have had the greatest impact.

Here in Canada, the Humane Society International has been targeting diners and restaurants here in the city of Toronto, informing them of the dangers decreasing sharp populations and of the cruelties in procuring the Shark Fins for the coveted Soup. They sought and continue to seek raised awareness by handing out brochures at this year’s Chinese New Year Parade. Probably most people are unaware that shark populations are rapidly declining and what this means for the health of the world’s oceans. The fact that the product is still available and on menus of high-end restaurants makes matters worse. For if it is available, the assumption seems to be that it is okay.

It was just reported that the food distributor Loblaw’s and Great Canadian Superstores have acquiesced to pressure from awareness groups and have stopped selling shark fin soup in its store. Let’s applaud this decision and if you shop there, mention your support of these boycott actions. -Shark Fin Soup? –Say, NO MORE!