Sharks fin soup
Every year tens of millions of sharks die a slow death because of finning. Finning is the inhumane practice of hacking off the shark's fins and throwing its still living body back into the sea. The sharks either starve to death, are eaten alive by other fish, or drown (if they are not in constant movement their gills cannot extract oxygen from the water). Shark fins are being "harvested" in ever greater numbers to feed the growing demand for shark fin soup, an Asian "delicacy" (stopsharksfinning.net, 2010).

Risk of extinction
Not only is the finning of sharks barbaric, but their indiscriminate slaughter at an unsustainable rate is pushing many species to the brink of extinction. Since the 1970s the populations of several species have been decimated by over 95% (stopsharksfinning.net, 2010). ABC News reported that Indonesian shark populations are at a critically endangered level due to the increased demand for sharks fin soup in Chinese restaurants.

Human Health Risk
Because sharks are top carnivores, they accumulate far more toxic chemicals than other fish or seafood. Through the process of ‘bioaccumulation’ toxins, such as mercury accumulate in the fatty tissue of the sharks fin to dangerous levels. When consumed by humans, the mercury is passed on and may cause male ‘sterility’. Children and men are particularly vulnerable. Besides sterility, shark fin can also cause central nervous system problems and kidney diseases. For this reason, the U.S. based ‘WildAid’ recommends against consuming sharks fin soup due to the high risks to human health.

Take action
So, next time you are in a restaurant, remember that not only is sharks fin soup driving shark populations to extinction, but it is also detrimental to your health. Stop the slaughter and “SAY NO TO SHARKS FIN SOUP!!”

For more information please visit:
http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/english/doc/2005-05/21/content_444520.htm
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/

 Connor Hughes
(Environmental Systems and Societies)