Sharks Fin Soup Bans Don't Stop Strong Demand

[n2doc]

Benjamin Radford, LiveScience ContributorDate: 08 July 2011 Time: 11:05 AM ET


A "finned" shark that was caught recently in Delaware Bay.
CREDIT: WCS

Shark fin soup has been served as a delicacy for centuries in China and elsewhere. But it's more than just an expensive bowl of soup; it's considered to have special medicinal properties and is used in Chinese medicine. It's one of many folk remedies and alternative medicine cures threatening endangered species around the world.

The shark fin industry has come under mounting pressure in recent months. Shark populations have declined dramatically in recent years, fueled in part by the demand for shark fins. Scientists estimate as many as 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins. The sharks are often thrown back into the ocean to die after their fins have been cut off.

Some shark species populations have dropped by 90 percent, studies find.

Despite public pleas for a ban from celebrities including Jackie Chan, Scarlett Johansson, Leonard DiCaprio, basketball star Yao Ming and others, shark fins remain in demand, defended by some Chinese Americans and restaurateurs.

more

http://www.livescience.com/14964-sharks-fin-soup-bans-stop-strong-demand.html

[Springer9]

1. It comes as no suprise, it didn't work for alcohol, pot, meth

or most things that are in demand. Why would shark fins be any different?

[MADem]

2. They need to do the "stem cell" thing on Shark Fins!

We could export them to China and solve the balance of trade in a week. Same deal with rhino horn, the penises of assorted wild animals, and any other animal part that is a luxury item.

[stuntcat]

3. kick

k&r

This makes me sick.

People who still defend this.. oh there's things I should not type out loud.

[shireen]

4. disgusting

:(

[jberryhill]

5. Is this the Big Pharma propaganda against natural medicine I keep hearing about

[xchrom]

6. recommend