Japan makes shark fin substitute

Nikko Yuba Seizo Co., A Japanese food processing company speciallizing in sharkfin trade has created shark fin substitution targeted to launch in major cities in China.

Made from pork gelatin, the substitution sharkfin is marketed to replace the real shark fin. Shark fins are considered as one of the highest-delicacies in Chinese cusine and a couple high-end restaurants in Japan.
From article:

"The price of the gelatin-made fin costs only one-tenth of the real one, or about 1,500 yen ($15) per kilogram when sold wholesale, he (company director) said.Controversy over China's appetite for shark's fin rose last year when the country's most famous sports personality, basketball star Yao Ming, called for a boycott of the dish to save the fish from extinction. Some species of shark are now endangered."

Full Story Here: http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2007/10/19/shark-fin-animal.html?category=animals&guid=20071019141500&dcitc=w19-502-ak-0000