The controversial shark fin soup is still being served in New York, even if some restaurants don't want to admit it. But if it lost its popularity in China, would America follow suit? According to a survey of about 1,000 Hong Kong residents (below), the popularity of shark fin soup seems to be waning, and many are finding it more acceptable to leave it off the menu at wedding banquets and large gatherings, when it is traditionally served. However, about nine percent of those surveyed were under the impression that shark fins could grow back after being cut off. Say what you will about the state of American education, but we're pretty sure our biology class never taught us that!
Almost 79 percent of those surveyed said that it is either "very acceptable" or "acceptable" to not include the traditional soup on a wedding banquet menu, and about 36 percent said their frequency of eating shark fin soup had decreased over the past five years. More of those whose consumption decreased said it was over environmental concerns rather than the rising cost of shark fins. However, a recent report released by Traffic says that a decade after the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization announced a plan to conserve sharks, "there is little evidence that the plan has contributed significantly to improved conservation and management of these animals."
Peter Knights, executive director at WildAid, told the Times that anti-shark fin PSAs seem to be working: “The fact that we’re allowed to do all this campaigning, and with the aid of state media, is a clear sign that the authorities are condoning the message." He does believe that shark hunting will come to an end, but said, “The question is, will it end while we’ve still got some sharks left?”Shark Week is approaching fast, so there's never been a better time to give up the shark fin soup habit. Then again, you should really live every week like it's shark week.
