Chinese have been serving shark's fin at wedding (and other) banquets since the beginning of time. The rarity is supposed to be nutritious and provide multiple medicinal benefits. The situation is bound to change, at least in Hong Kong where the local residents are starting to consider what the cullinary tradition means, firstly, to the environment and secondly, to the sharks.
A Facebook community has recently been set up in Hong Kong promoting a symbolic protest of reducing the size of the
wedding gift if the wedding hosts serve shark's fin. It suggests that the wedding gift (which, in Hong Kong, is usually a cash gift) should be shaved by 30% with the difference donated to campaigns and organizations against shark-finning. The campaign will make it somewhat easier for their wedding hosts to say no to serving shark's fin against the will of their parents who tend to think a wedding banquet is somewhat incomplete without shark's fin.
The quest against shark-finning still has a long way to go. While Hong Kongers are reducing their consumption of shark's fin, the Mainland Chinese are building up their wealth and craving for luxurious goods and foods, and hence the consumption of shark's fin. Some Mainland Chinese banquets are selling at US$1400 per head, and serving shark's fin amongst other unbelievably priced items including caviar, tea and red wine which have been bought for millions of dollars at auctions.
Soon enough, our children will not recognize a shark when they see one, except when it's served as shark's fin soup.
Do something for them and for the sharks, now, when there's still time.
Image credit: http://14bikeco.wordpress.com
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