Shark fin soup
879354
225981490
2008-07-16T09:06:13Z
76.246.35.223
{{Chinese|
pic=Sharksfin.jpg|picsize=250px|piccap=Shark fin soup|l=Fish fin|t=[[wiktionary:魚|魚]][[wiktionary:翅|翅]]|j=jyu4 ci3|p=yú chì|w=yü ch'ih<sup>4</sup>}}
'''Shark fin soup''' (or '''shark's fin soup''') is a [[Chinese cuisine]] [[delicacy]] since [[Ming Dynasty]], commonly served as part of a [[Chinese cuisine|Chinese feast]], usually at special occasions such as [[wedding]]s and banquets as a symbol of [[wealth]] and [[prestige]]. The "finning" of [[shark]]s required to make this soup has been highly controversial. Some have called the practice brutal,<ref>{{cite web|title=The Brutal Business of Shark Finnin|accessdaymonth=7 May |accessyear=2008|url=http://www.seashepherd.org/longline/longline_shark_finning.html}}</ref> and it is also named as a primary contributing factor in the global decline of many shark species.<ref name="WWF">{{cite web|title=Waiter, there’s a shark fin in my soup!|accessdaymonth=7 May|accessyear=2008|url=http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/features/index.cfm?uNewsID=105060}}</ref>
China's booming economy has resulted in a large increase in demand for shark fins, and this, combined with the importance of this predator in oceanic ecosystems, has exacerbated the problems that the practice is said to perpetuate.<ref name="NG"/>
==Soup==
[[Image:shark fin home.jpg|right|thumb|250px]]
Genuine shark fin soup or stew is made with [[shark]] fins obtained from any of a variety of [[list of sharks|shark]] [[species]]. Raw shark fins are processed by first removing the skin, trimming them to shape, and thoroughly drying them. They may be bleached with [[hydrogen peroxide]] before drying to make their colour more appealing. Shark fins are the [[cartilage|cartilaginous]] [[pectoral fin|pectoral]] and [[dorsal fin]]s of a shark. Sharks' fins are sold in two forms - frozen and dried. Both need to be softened before they can be used to prepare soup. The frozen form is ready to use as it has been prepared and therefore only requires about an hour of soaking. There are two types of the dried form, skinned (shredded) and whole, which require more preparation.<ref name="CF">{{cite web|title=Shark's Fin in Chinese Cooking|publisher=chinesefood-recipes.com|accessdaymonth=6 January |accessyear=2007|url=http://www.chinesefood-recipes.com/food_articles/sharks_fin_chinese_cooking.php}}</ref> <!--None of these are reliable sources: need to find some: The nutritional value of the soup is debated, there are claims that it is high in calcium and iron, and have protein of fair quality, [http://www.flavorandfortune.com/dataaccess/article.php?ID=78][http://www.1888articles.com/cartilade-powder-consumed-for-centuries-as-shark-fin-soup-0d6nuc2982.html] but some sources argue that they have little nutritional value.ss[http://www.thailandlife.com/sharkfinsoup.html].-->
Shark fins, in common with other costly east Asian delicacies such as [[Birds nest soup|Bird's nest soup]] and [[Hoi sam|sea cucumber]], have very little flavor of their own.<ref name="CF"/> Their appeal lies more in their texture and their ability to absorb flavors from other soup ingredients, and also for the simple fact of their expense and supposed "rarity", as with many [[luxury good]]s.<ref name="Hom">{{cite web|url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/g2/story/0,,1516720,00.html|title=A shark's tale|author=Ken Hom|publisher=The Guardian|date=2005-06-09|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2006}}</ref>
There is an imitation version that is usually sold in cans that may be labelled as shark fin soup; it sells for around [[United States Dollar|USD$]]1.50 per bowl and does not contain shark fins, but is instead made of [[Cellophane noodles|mung bean vermicelli]] shaped to resemble shark fins. It is not equivalent to genuine shark fin soup in either texture or colour. It is commonly served in chicken broth, with mushrooms and pork to enhance the texture and taste.
==Market==
[[Image:Yokohama Chinese Medicine Shark fin etc.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Shark fins and other shark parts for sale in a Chinese pharmacy]]
Shark fin soup is a popular delicacy in China, and is eaten in Chinese restaurants around the world.<ref name="abc">{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2616156&page=1|title=Decimating Shark Population for Some Soup|author=Laura Marquez|publisher=ABC News|date=2006-10-30|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1096219.ece|title=Fins for sale|publisher=The Independent|author=Stephen Khan|date=2006-06-25|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> A survey carried out in China in 2006 by [[WildAid]] and the [[Chinese Wildlife Conservation Association]] found that 35% of participants said they had consumed shark fin soup in the last year,<ref name="abc" /> while 83% of participants in an online survey conducted by the [[World Wide Fund for Nature]], said that they had consumed shark fin soup at some time.<ref name="WWFsurvey">{{cite web|url=http://www.wwf.org.hk/eng/pdf/references/marine%20awareness%20II%20accomp%20051013_1.pdf|title=WWF Marine Awareness Survey: Seafood consumption|author=|publisher=WWF|date=2005-10-13|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> In [[Hong Kong]] restaurants, where the market has traditionally been strong, demand from Hong Kong natives has reportedly dropped, but this has been more than balanced by an increase in demand from the Chinese mainland,<ref name="TT">{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2006/09/03/2003325993|title=Yao Ming unlikely to curb China's shark fin appetite|publisher=Tapei Times|date=2006-05-03|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> as the economic growth of China has put this expensive delicacy within the reach of a growing middle class.<ref name="Yaoming">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?we_cat=9&art_id=26301&sid=9676185&con_type=3&d_str=20060901|title=Media silent on shark fin soup affair|date=2006-09-01|publisher=The Standard|author=|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> Based on information gathered from the Hong Kong trade in fins, the market is estimated to be growing by 5% a year.<ref name="flmnh">{{cite web|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/innews/taste2004.html|title=Chinese Taste For Endangered Seafood Growing|author=Julie Chao|publisher=Cox News Service|date=2004-05-19|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The high price of the soup means that is often used as a way to impress guests or at celebrations,<ref name="TT" /> 58% of those questioned in the WWF survey said they ate the soup at a celebration or gathering.<ref name="WWFsurvey" />
A third of all fins imported to Hong Kong come from Europe.<ref name="SA">{{cite web|title=Shark fisheries and trade in Europe|publisher=Shark Alliance|accessdaymonth=6 January |accessyear=2007|url=http://www.sharkalliance.org/content.asp?did=23514}}</ref> Spain is by far the largest supplier, providing between 2000 and 5000 metric tonnes a year.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/1406939.stm|title=EU faces shark fin ban call|publisher=BBC|author=|date=2001-06-25|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="G-stats">{{cite web|url=http://environment.guardian.co.uk/conservation/story/0,,1862110,00.html|title=
Sharks pay high price as demand for fins soars|author=Ian Sample|publisher=The Guardian|date=2006-08-31|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> Norway supplies 39 metric tonnes, but Britain, France, Portugal and Italy are also major suppliers.<ref name="INDP2">{{cite web|url=http://news.independent.co.uk/environment/article1222839.ece|title= Growth in shark fin trade could lead to species extinction|author=Steve Connor|publisher=The Independent|date=2006-08-31|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> Hong Kong handles at least 50% and possibly up to 80% of the world trade in shark fin, with the major suppliers being Europe, [[Taiwan]], [[Indonesia]], [[Singapore]], [[United Arab Emirates]], [[United States]], [[Yemen]], [[India]], [[Japan]], and [[Mexico]].<ref name="SSG">{{cite web|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/organizations/ssg/ssgfinstatementfinal2june.pdf|title=Shark Specialist Group Finning Statement|publisher=IUCN Shark Specialist Group|author=Sarah Fowler and Dr John A Musick|date=2006-06-02|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref>
==Controversy==
{{confusing}}
[[Image:SharkFinTin9.jpg|thumb|right|250px|A dried shark fin prepared for cooking]]
According to [[wildlife conservation]]ists, much of the trade in sharks' fins is derived from fins cut from living sharks; this process is called '''finning'''.<ref name="WA"/> Because shark meat is worth much less, the finless and often still-living sharks are thrown back into the sea to make room on board the ship for more of the valuable fins.<ref name="WA"/> When returned to the [[ocean]], the finless sharks, unable to move, either die from suffocation or are consumed by other sharks or animals.
However, according to Giam Choo Hoo, the longest serving member of the [[CITES]] Animals Committee, "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.... The vast majority of fins in the market are taken from sharks after their death."<ref name="GCH">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwmc.org/PDF/StraitsTPress.pdf|author=Giam Choo Hoo|title=Shark's fin soup - eat without guilt|date=2006-12-01|publisher=The Straits Times|accessdaymonth=6 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref>
However, this discounting of an international phenomenon is facile and refuted through extensive examination of fin sourcing and fisheries data as reported by Dr. Shelly Clarke in Ecology Letters. The first real-data study of sharks harvested for their valuable fins estimates that between 26 million and 73 million sharks are killed each year worldwide, three times higher than was reported originally by the United Nations, according to a paper published as the cover story in the October 2006 edition of ''Ecology Letters.''
Finning of living sharks on an industrial scale does occur and has been witnessed and photographed within the protected marine area of Costa Rica's Cocos Island National Park by the crew of the conservation vessel Ocean Warrior.<ref name="RM1">{{cite web|url=http://www.shark-info.ch/News/newsres.html?lang=e&keyword=Fins&num=161|title=Disaster off the coast of the Cocos Islands|publisher=Shark Info|accessdaymonth=5 December |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The practice is featured in the documentary {{cite web|url=http://www.sharkstewards.com |title=Sharks: Stewards of the Reef}} which contains footage from W. Australian waters and Central America and also examines the cultural, financial and ecological impacts of shark finning. This incident was also recorded by underwater photographer Richard Merritt who has witnessed finning of living sharks in Indonesia where he saw the immobile finless sharks lying still alive on the sea bed under the fishing boat.<ref name="RM2">{{cite web|url=http://www.bluespheremedia.com/shark-conservation.html|title= shark conservation|publisher=Blue Sphere Media|accessdaymonth=5 December |accessyear=2007}}</ref> Finning has been witnessed and filmed within a protected marine area in the Raja Ampat islands of Indonesia.<ref name="RM3">{{cite web|url=http://www.indoeco.com/newsJanuary2007.html|title=16 January 2007: Encountering Shark Finners inside our Marine Protected Area|publisher=Misool Eco Resort|accessdaymonth=5 December |accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Finning is vigorously opposed by [[animal welfare]] groups; both on moral grounds and also because it is listed as one of the causes for the rapid decline of global shark [[population]]s.<ref name="WA">{{cite web|title=Sharks|publisher=WildAid|accessdaymonth=6 January |accessyear=2007|url=http://www.wildaid.org/index.asp?CID=3&PID=352&SUBID=&TERID=490}}</ref> On the [[IUCN red list]] there are 39 species of elasmobranches (sharks and rays) listed as threatened species ([[Critically endangered species|Critically Endangered]], [[Endangered species|Endangered]] or [[Vulnerable species|Vulnerable]]).<ref name="ST">{{cite web|url=http://www.sharktrust.org/do_download.asp?did=26336|title=List of endangered sharks|publisher=The Shark Trust|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists three sharks in Appendix II: the [[basking shark]], the [[great white shark]] and the [[whale shark]]. Appendix II lists those species that are not in danger of extinction, but which require controls on international trade to maintain their populations. It is estimated that 10–100 million sharks are slaughtered each year for their fins, with a median figure of 38 million.<ref name="NG">{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/10/061012-shark-fin.html|title=38 Million Sharks Killed for Fins Annually, Experts Estimate|publisher=National Geographic|author=Nicholas Bakalar|date=2006-10-12|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The industry is valued at US$1.2 billion; because of the lucrative profits, there are allegations of links to organized crime.<ref name="iss">{{cite web|url=http://www.iss.co.za/Pubs/Papers/48/48.html|title=Triad Societies and Chinese Organised Crime in South Africa|author=Peter Gastrow|date=2001|publisher=Institute for Security Studies|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref><ref name="flmnh2">{{cite web|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/FISH/sharks/innews/sharksoup2003.htm|title=Shark Soup|author=Geoffrey York|publisher=The Globe and Mail|date=2003-08-27|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> They also raise questions on the medical harm from the consumption of high levels of toxic mercury reportedly found in shark fins.
Numbers of some shark species have dropped as much as 80% over the last 50 years.<ref name="LM2">{{cite web|url=http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/fish/sharks/InNews/critics2006.html|title=Rising Demand For Fins Contributes To Decline In Shark Population, Critics Charge|author=Laura Marquez|publisher=ABC News|date=2006-10-30|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref>
Some organizations claim that shark fishing or bycatch (the unintentional capture of species by other fisheries) is the reason for the decline in the populations of some species and that the market for fins has very little impact - bycatch accounts for an estimated 50% of all sharks taken<ref name="WA" /> - others that the market for shark fin soup is the main reason for the decline.<ref name="LM2" /> [[Tommy Cheung]], the legislator representing Hong Kong's catering sector, said: "I don't believe sharks are an endangered species. Some species of shark may be, but not all shark's fin comes from certain species. There are a lot of species that are plentiful."<ref name="TC">{{cite web|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2005/05/29/2003257104|title=Disney Hong Kong insists on shark's fin-soup meals|author=|publisher=Taipei Times|date=2005-05-29|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> Since many countries do not allow shark finning there is no reliable count for the numbers taken in the shark fin trade and thus it is hard to prove the claims on either side of the argument.<ref name="WA"/> Sharks are caught for their fins and meat all over the world.
According to Giam's article, "sharks are caught virtually all parts of the world. Despite the strongly declared objectives of the Fisheries Commission in Brussels, there are very few restrictions on fishing for sharks in European waters. The meat of dogfishes, smoothhounds, catsharks, skates and rays is in high demand by European consumers...The situation in Canada and the United States 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...the truth is this: Sharks will continue to be caught and killed on a wide scale by the more organized and sophisticated fishing nations...targeting shark's fin soup will not stop this accidental catch. The fins from these catches will be thrown away or turned into animal feed and fertilizers if shark's fin soup is shunned."
New laws have been passed to prevent finning; though much of the [[international waters]] continue to be unregulated. The [[United States]] recently issued a ban on finning, applicable only to U.S.-registered vessels, even in U.S. territorial waters; and shark fins cannot be imported into the USA without entire carcasses. International fishing authorities are in the process of banning shark fishing (and finning) in the [[Atlantic ocean]] and [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Finning is banned in the Eastern [[Pacific Ocean|Pacific]],<ref name="ENS">{{cite web|url=http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/jun2005/2005-06-29-03.asp|title=Shark Finning Banned in Eastern Pacific Ocean|publisher=Environment News Service|date=2005-06-09|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> but shark fishing and finning continues unabated in the rest of the Pacific and [[Indian ocean]].<ref name="WA"/>
<!--In countries such as [[Thailand]] and [[Singapore]], public awareness advertisements on finning have reportedly reduced consumption by 25%.-->[[Hong Kong Disneyland]] dropped the dish from its wedding banquet menu after international pressure from environmental groups, who threatened to boycott its parks worldwide despite the high demand for the delicacy in China.<ref name="disney">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/stdn/std/Metro/GF25Ak01.html|title=Disney ditches shark's fin|author=Chester Yung and Teddy Ng|publisher=The Standard|date=2005-06-25|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> [[The University of Hong Kong]] has banned shark fin being served on campus.<ref name="hku">{{cite web|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=11&art_id=4810&sid=5300167&con_type=1|title=HKU bans shark fin dishes|author=Doug Crets and Mimi Lau|publisher=The Standard|date=2005-11-03|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> 97% of respondents in the WWF Seafood Awareness survey said if fish species were threatened they would stop eating them (39%) or reduce the amount they ate (58%).<ref name="WWFsurvey" />
<!--not sure this is relevant, it is general ecosystem dynamics:Large-scale removal of [[shark]]s may severely unbalance the [[ecosystem]] of warm seas by allowing some species of large or middle-sized fish to multiply or grow bigger: for an example see [[grouper]].-->
[[NBA All-Star]] [[Yao Ming]] pledged to stop eating shark fin soup at a news conference on [[August 2]] [[2006]]. Yao's comments were largely unreported in the Chinese media and drew a reproach from Chinese seafood industry associations. Ironically, one of the items on Yao Ming's wedding dinner menu was shark fin soup.<ref name="Yaoming" /><ref name="YM">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/13/weekinreview/13barboza.html?ex=1313121600&en=bf6278b2a0e56f52&ei=5088&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss|title=Waiter, There’s a Celebrity in My Shark Fin Soup|author=David Barboza|publisher=The New York Times|date=2006-08-13|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2006}}</ref> Former Australian naturalist [[Steve Irwin]] was known to walk out of Chinese restaurants if he saw shark fin soup on the menu.<ref name="SI">{{cite web|url=http://www.thefirstpost.co.uk/index.php?menuID=2&subID=883&p=2|title=Death of the crocodile hunter|publisher=The First Post|author=Mike Dolan|date=2006-09-04|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> US basketball player [[Tracy McGrady]] reportedly said that he was impressed by the soup when he tried it for the first time, but was criticized by the Hong Kong branch of the WWF for his remark.<Ref name="TLM">{{cite web|url=http://www.bangkokpost.net/breaking_news/breakingnews.php?id=112686|title=Basketball star berated for shark fin dinner|publisher=Bangkok Post|author=|date=|accessdaymonth=8 January |accessyear=2007}}</ref> The Chinese-American chef, [[Ken Hom]], sees double standards from the West, with little being done to protect stocks of [[cod]] and [[caviar]]-producing [[sturgeon]] while there is outcry over shark-finning, but he also stresses the wastefulness of harvesting only the fins.<ref name="Hom" />
On [[September 15]] [[2007]], [[Malaysia]]'s Natural Resources and Environment Ministry [[Azmi Khalid]] banned shark's fin soup from [[official]] function [[menus]] as commitment to the [[Malaysian Nature Society]] (for [[Wildlife conservation|conservation]] of [[sharks]] [[species]]).<ref>[http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/299995/1/.html ChannelNewsAsia.com, Malaysian ministry bans shark's fin soup]</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Cellophane noodles]]
* [[Shark cartilage]]
* [[Hoi sam]]
* [[Bao yu]]
* [[Buddha jumps over the wall]]
== References ==
===Footnotes===
{{Reflist|2}}
===Notations===
* Baum J.K., Myers R.A., Kehler D.G., Worm B., Harley S.J., Doherty P.A. (2003) — Collapse and Conservation of Shark Populations in the Northwest Atlantic. ''Science'', 5605: 389–392.
==External links==
*[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/03/29/AR2007032901963.html Decline of Big Sharks Lets Small Predators Decimate Shellfish], Washington Post. March 2007
*[http://www.blackwellpublishing.com/ecology/news/news.asp?id=186 Triple Threat: World Fin Trade May Harvest up to 73 Million Sharks per Year], research published in ''Ecology Letters'', September 2006
* [http://www.sharktrust.org/do_download.asp?did=26336 Shark Finning Fact sheet]
* [http://www.iwmc.org/sharks/000729-2.htm Extremists Make Poor Champions of Sharks or of The World]
* [http://www.iwmc.org/sharks/000729-3.htm In Search of Credibility & Cooperation in Shark Conservation]
* [http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/story?id=2616156&page=1 Decimating Shark Population for Some Soup]
[[Category:Chinese soups]]
[[Category:Sharks]]
[[Category:Cantonese cuisine]]
[[Category:Environmental issues with fishing]]
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