Shark fin is a status symbol in China, and higher incomes in the world’s second largest economy have driven the appetite of a growing middle class. It is estimated that over 100 million sharks are killed every year, with up to 73 million used for their fins – mostly for consumption in China.
Which country consumes the most shark fins?
Hong Kong is the largest shark fin importer in the world, and responsible for about half of the global trade. The fins sold in Sai Ying Pun come from more than 100 countries and 76 different species of sharks and rays, a third of which are endangered.
What country kills sharks for their fins?
China
It is the gruesome practice of cutting off a live shark’s fins and throwing the rest of the animal back into the sea, where it dies a slow and painful death. The fins are used in China and Hong Kong, and by Chinese communities elsewhere in the world, as the key ingredient in shark-fin soup.
What countries use shark fins?
Out of these top shark fishing nations, Indonesia, India, and Spain account for over 35% of the world’s annual total reported shark catch. Many of these countries have enacted legislation banning the practice of shark finning even though they still engage in shark fishing.
Why do Chinese eat shark fins?
The cartilage in the fins is usually shredded and used primarily to provide texture and thickening to shark fin soup, a traditional Chinese soup or broth dating back to the Song Dynasty (960-1279). The dish is considered a luxury item embodying notions of hospitality, status and good fortune.
What country hunts the most sharks?
According to this information, Indonesia is the top shark-catching country in the world at present, representing about 13% of the total shark catches worldwide (Lack & Sant, 2011).
What does shark fin taste like?
The taste of the soup comes from the broth, as the fins themselves are almost tasteless. Rather than for taste, the fins are used for their “snappy, gelatinous” texture, which has been described as “chewy, sinewy, stringy”. Krista Mahr of Time called it “somewhere between chewy and crunchy”.
How much is a shark fin worth?
Shark fins are among the most expensive seafood products, commonly retailing at US$400 per kg. In the United States, where finning is prohibited, some buyers regard the whale shark and the basking shark as trophy species, and pay $10,000 to $20,000 for a fin.
Is shark fin illegal in China?
China’s government has, according to the Chinese news agency Xinhua, made a list of 420 endangered species that is no longer legal to consume, import or sell. And among the animals on the list are sharks. The punishment for breaking this new ban will be up to 10 years in prison.
Who eats the most shark fin soup?
China consumes more shark fin than any other country in the world, according to the campaign group WildAid. Shark fin soup is also served at business lunches and dinners to celebrate a new deal. One Hong Kong banker told the New York Times, “This is a very basic dish for business dinners in Hong Kong.
Does the US export shark fins?
The United States exports approximately 1 percent of all globally traded shark fins, and we import an even smaller percentage. Our policy that sharks must be brought to shore with fins naturally attached, however, does have an important global role.
Are shark fins banned in US?
Although shark finning is illegal in U.S. waters, fins can still be bought and sold throughout much of the United States. These fins are often imported from countries that have inadequate protections in place for sharks.
Why is shark fin soup so expensive?
Fishermen often only have use for three per cent of the big fish – that is, their fins. The rest of the shark has little value. Because the fishermen boats known as sampan are too small to fit a whole big fish, the shark is discarded after the fins are cut.
How much does a bowl of shark fin soup cost?
Fins can bring in hundreds of dollars on the market, with the average being about $450 per pound. A bowl of soup can cost $100. Shark fin soup has been considered a symbol of wealth and a delicacy in China since the Ming Dynasty.
What nationality eats shark fin soup?
China
Shark fin soup has long been a status dish in Asian countries, notably China, where its use can be traced back to an emperor from the Song Dynasty (960-1279) who is thought to have invented the dish to show off his power and wealth.
Do the Japanese eat shark?
Japan. Japan has a large market share in the trade of frozen and fresh shark meat, for both importation and exportation. Shark meat is typically consumed in prepared forms in Japan, such as in prepared fish sausage, surimi, fish paste, fish balls, and other products.
Do Japanese eat shark fin?
But the trade in shark fins is its commercial lifeblood. The port, 250 miles north of Tokyo, accounts for 90% of Japan’s shark fin trade and the promise of eating the country’s best shark fin soup draws busloads of tourists every day in summer.
Why are shark fins so valuable?
Shark fins are tempting targets for fishermen because they have high monetary and cultural value . They are used in a popular dish called shark fin soup, which is a symbol of status in Chinese culture.
What is shark meat called in restaurants?
This meat is prepared and served in many ways and under various names. Species such as mako, thresher, and blacktip are among those that are fished for their meat. Alternate names for shark meat include flake, dogfish, grayfish, and whitefish.
Why is shark meat poisonous?
Shark Meat Contains Mercury
Sharks have the second highest levels of mercury of any other fish in their meat, so consuming them is very dangerous. Mercury exposure can cause headaches, tremors, and cognitive dysfunction.
How much money can a fisherman get for a pound of shark fin?
When a shark is caught it is usually brought aboard, finned and carcassed for sale. The commercial market for shark is driven by the Asian demand for sharkfin soup. Fishermen can get up to 30 dollars a pound for the fins but only around 30 cents a pound for the meat.
Elvira Bowen is a food expert who has dedicated her life to understanding the science of cooking. She has worked in some of the world’s most prestigious kitchens, and has published several cookbooks that have become bestsellers. Elvira is known for her creative approach to cuisine, and her passion for teaching others about the culinary arts.