Shark's Fin Soup

Came across this article in the Straits Times last Friday, 1st Dec 06. Titled " Shark's Fin Soup - eat without guilt" by a writer named Giam Choo Hoo.

This writer is a member of the CITES Animal Committee and a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of England. Surely there has to be some credibility to the write-up.

Why I picked up this piece of article you ask? Well, at the back of my mind, I've been having lots of doubts about the huh-hahs over fishing of sharks and the live finning of sharks for the precious fins. This article supported my suspicion.

Here are some of excerpts from the article:

"Reports which attribute shark decimation to the consumption of shark's fin soup show that Western activists have succeeded in convincing the public that the sharks are killed for their fins only, and that all fins are cruelly cut off while the sharks are still alive."

"They painted a distorted picture..."

"Shark are caught in virtually all parts of the world - by fisher men in poor countries and by large fishing fleets from developed countries. No State has banned shark fishing and only a few have set limits in certain areas.
Indeed, some members of the EU are catching, consuming and trading sharks in a big scale. "

"The Shark Alliance points out that Spain, Portugal, the UK and France are among the world's top 20 shark-fishing nations that are responsible for 80% of the global catch."

"The situation in Canada and the US is similar. The blue shark is sought after as a sport fish while the porbeagle, mako and spiny dogfish are part of the commercial fishery.
Other species are caught, either targeted or as by-catch that is unintentional or incidental, during fishing operations.
It is a serious problem in most European countries. Fishing fleets targeting tuna and swordfish take substantial numbers of high seas sharks
Nevertheless, sharks are not as endangered as other wildlife, for example, the sturgeon, which is sought after for caviar. "

"There are over 400 species of sharks, and to claim they are on the verge of extinction is to make a sweeping but inaccurate generalisation equivalent to claiming that all birds are endangered."

"The UN Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wildlife Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists only 3 sharks in its Appendix II. The consumption and trade of these species in the category is subject to certification. The 3 are basking shark, the great white shark and the whale shark. The remaining 397 shark species are not classified at all and can be freely traded and caught."

"The perception that it is common practice to kill sharks for only their fins - and to cut them off whilst the sharks are still alive - is wrong.
No one denies that such cruelty exists. The footage of 'live-finning' has been shown all over the world. However, these sensational pictures obscures the fact that many within the industry are against such practices.
The vast majority of fins in the market are taken from sharks after their death. This is the preliminary findings of a review made with the assistance of shark experts, fishermen, captains of big fishing ships, and the representatives of fishery departments, the fishing industry, fish markets and fishing ports."

"The barbaric practice of 'live-finning' is done by some long-line fishing boats, principally targeting tuna. When they get the less valuable sharks in their hooks, they cut the fins and throw the shark into the water to make room for tuna. This deplorable practice is outlawed in many countries."

The anti-fins group has misrepresented the facts. By aggressively flooding prints , TV and the Internet media with selective images, they have portrayed an untruth: that all fins are derived from 'live-finning'. Their aim? They want shark fin soup to be shunned.
The truth is this: Sharks will continue to be caught and killed on wide scale by the more organised and sophisticated fishing nations.

Targeting sharks' fins soup will not stop the accident catch. The fins from these catches will be thrown away or turned into animal feed and fertilisers if shark's fin soup is shunned.

The practice to salvage and sell sharks' fins give value to discards from the fishing industry of the world, benefiting both the poor and rich countries."


I feel that making Asian Chinese, the primary consumers of shark's fin soup, as the scape goat will not stop the Westerners from continuing the commercial fishing of sharks. Even if we stop eating shark's fins soup, the killing will not stop. Sharks are caught, killed and eaten daily.

I feel much better now the next time I tuck into a bowl of shark's fin soup.