Shark fin soup

Shark fin soup (or shark's fin soup) is a chinese delicacy that has been a popular item of Chinese cuisine since the Ming Dynasty^[1], usually served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets.^[2][3] As a luxury item, the dish is also considered a symbol of wealth and prestige in Chinese culture.^[3]

Shark finning is required to make this soup, and the process has become highly controversial in recent years. Consumption of shark fin soup has risen dramatically with the middle class becoming more affluent.^[4] Animal rights activists and environmentalists^[5] have called the practice brutal^[3], and it is also named as a primary contributing factor in the global decline of many shark species.^[6]

China's growing economy has resulted in a large increase in demand for shark fins^[2]; combined with the importance of this top predator in oceanic ecosystems, has exacerbated problems the practice perpetuates.^[7]

Preparation

Genuine shark fin soup or stew is made with shark fins obtained from any of a variety of shark species. Raw shark fins are processed by first removing the skin, trimming them to shape, and thoroughly drying them. Hydrogen peroxide may be used^[8] before drying to make their colour more appealing^{[citation needed]}.

Shark fins are the cartilaginous pectoral and dorsal fins 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^{[citation needed]}.

There are two types of the dried form, skinned (shredded) and whole, which require more preparation.^[9]

Shark fins, in common with other costly east Asian delicacies such as Bird's nest soup and sea cucumber, have very little flavor of their own.^[9] 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 goods.^[10]

Imitation

There is an imitation version that is usually sold in cans that may be labelled as shark fin soup^{[citation needed]}; it sells for around USD$1.50 per bowl and does not contain shark fins, but is instead made of mung bean vermicelli shaped to resemble shark fins.^[11] It is not equivalent to genuine shark fin soup in either texture or color^{[citation needed]} and is commonly served in chicken broth, with mushrooms and pork to enhance the texture and taste.

Market

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.^[12][13]

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,^[12] 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.^[14]

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,^[15] as the economic growth of China has put this expensive delicacy within the reach of a growing middle class.^[16]

Based on information gathered from the Hong Kong trade in fins, the market is estimated to be growing by 5% a year.^[17] The high price of the soup means that is often used as a way to impress guests or at celebrations,^[15] 58% of those questioned in the WWF survey said they ate the soup at a celebration or gathering.^[14]

While fins from many shark species are utilized in the trade, certain shark species have been identified over the centuries as supplying the tastiest and most succulent fins. The shark-like rays (the shovelnose rays and sawfishes) are known to supply the highest quality fin -- the "caviar" of shark fin^{[citation needed]}. As observed by one of the leading treatises^[which?] on shark trade, "[fins] from the white-spotted guitarfish [Rhynchobatus spp.] are considered to be most valuable^{[citation needed]}. The preferred shark species for fins are Tiger, Mako, Sawfish, Sandbar, Bull, Hammerhead, Blacktip, Porbeagle, Blue and Thresher sharks."^[18]

Fins from the critically endangered sawfishes (family Pristidae) "are highly favored in Asian markets and are some of the most valuable shark fins."^[19] Sawfishes are now protected under the highest protection level of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), Appendix I ,^[20] but given the great volume of the shark fin trade, and as detached shark fins are difficult to identify, it is unlikely that CITES protection will prevent highly valued sawfish fins from entering the trade^{[citation needed]}.

A third of all fins imported to Hong Kong come from Europe.^[21] Spain is by far the largest supplier, providing between 2000 and 5000 metric tonnes a year.^[22][23] Norway supplies 39 metric tonnes, but Britain, France, Portugal and Italy are also major suppliers.^[24]

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.^[25]

Controversy

Wildlife conservationists contend that much of the trade in sharks' fins is derived from fins cut from living sharks using a process called finning.^[26] Economically, this makes sense since shark meat is worth much less and more room is available on board the ship if only the fins were retained. However, the finless and often still-living sharks are thrown back into the sea.^[26] When returned to the ocean, the finless sharks are unable to swim and sink to the ocean bottom and die.^[27]

The acclaimed 2007 documentary Sharkwater^[28] exposes the abuse in shark-finning industry and the damage it is causing to the oceans ecosystems. It also uncovers government corruption supporting the industry.

Health issues

Shark fin soup may cause sterility in men due to mercury content.^[29]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shark fin soup

• Bao yu
• Buddha jumps over the wall
• Cellophane noodles
• Hoi sam
• Shark cartilage
• Turtle soup

References

Further reading

• 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

• abc News Decimating Shark Population for Some Soup