Shark fin soup is a popular soup item of Chinese cuisine usually served at special occasions such as weddings and banquets, or as a luxury item in Chinese culture. The shark fins provide texture while the taste comes from the other soup ingredients. However, shark fin soup is popular all over the world, it's estimated that up to 73 million sharks are killed for their fins each year.
Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of Shark fins. The rest of the body is generally discarded in the ocean; however, some countries have banned this practice and require the whole body to be brought back to port before removing the fins. Sharks without their fins are often still alive; unable to move normally, they die of suffocation or are eaten by other predators.
Shark numbers are falling dramatically, whether you're afraid of them or not, it's the time to realise that we simply cannot survive without sharks - They are what keeps the oceans in balance. Please help the Australian Government realise that Shark Fin Soup shouldn't be served in any restaurant!
