“Sharks are quite popular in Europe and the US, and shark-based food is widely available. But now the shark-eaters there have taken the lead in accusing the fin-eaters over here. Why do some NGOs call for an end to the consumption of shark fins, not the sharks? They may have another axe to grind,” said Lin Dinggui, director of a Hong Kong-based seafood trade association.
But the environmental groups and their followers see it another way.
Since 2006, WildAid, an international NGO, has been working to end the illegal wildlife trade, and launched a series of activities to discourage the consumption of shark fins due to concerns over the world’s diminishing shark population. By its calculations, about 26 to 73 million sharks are slaughtered per year as the demand of shark fin soup continues to increase.
WildAid said the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong have been among the biggest importers of shark fin for years. So far, no legislation has been introduced in China to ban the practice.
The NGO also cited the pathetic survival of sharks that are finned. Sharks without their fins are often still alive, but they are not able to move normally. Most of them die of suffocation or are eaten by other predators.
Sina Weibo user Salvatore多多 wrote：“Many delicacies are created at the cost of the animals’ health, including foie gras and shark fin soup. Try to say no to those foods.”
“Shark fins are not that nutritious. At the top of the marine food chain, sharks often amass a huge amount of harmful substances, such as the mercury. For your health and the environmental protection, we should say no to the fins.” said 爱心公益。
In reaction to the fiery criticism, the host decided to write a white paper on China’s shark industry to “face up to the unfair criticism from the international NGOs and propose suggestions for the sustainable use of sharks that are scientific, just, and relevant.”
By Xu Xinlei
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