"Shark fin soup alters an ecosystem" (CNN)

Published on CNN website, along with documentary Planet in Peril, this article discusses the severity of shark-finning and the influence which pop culture, media, and cultural traditions have with the perceptions and understanding of sharks.

The article is written by one of the research reporters and hosts on Planet in Peril, List Ling, with interview discussions with co-founder of Wildaid, Peter Knights. It describes their learning from trip to KaoShiung, Taiwan, where riduculous amount of illegal shark-fins are being imported.

To read the full article, please click HERE.



To be honest, I feel disgusted and sick reading about information during my research process. I find the information too hard to take in sometimes. Especially when such activities that I personally feel strongly against actually happen in where I grow up, developed and adapted by my own culture and people. It makes the project more challenging of course, however, it also reassures my intention and motivation towards promoting such awareness.


Note: Photographs included in this post are gathered from CNN website, photographed by Jeff Hutchens.

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