I refer to the letter Campaign against shark’s fin soup based on sad facts.
This isn't even worth my time, seriously, but just so you know, I will make a short post.
I seriously agree with Cheah Hooi Giam that the anti-shark's fin soup campaign is pointless. My reasons are:
1) As was mentioned, the shark's fin used for soup here in Malaysia ISN'T shark's fin at all. Or have you never eaten it? If you have, your sense of taste is bad. This fact was confirmed by someone who can tell what ingredients were used just by tasting the food. Why? Probably because ray and the like are cheaper than shark's fin and most people can't tell the difference anyway.
2) Campaigning here is pointless. We are not large consumers of shark's fin. Go to China and campaign there, not here. That is, of course, until you get deported. Haha.
3) Your so-called "'facts" and your actions do not match. Make up your mind.
Therefore, please take the campaign to China where it will have an effect.
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1) shark fins consumption is the main cause of shark numbers declining and
2) It is cruel to 'live fin' the sharks.
Both these statements are inaccurate.
Wild Aid's, the main NGO involved in the anti-fins campaigns, own figures states that at least 50% of sharks are caught as a bycatch. Now, whether or not one consumes sharks fins is immaterial as the sharks will continue to be caught.
One can only say what happens to the other 50% of sharks caught - are they all for the sharks fins industry? Highly unlikely.
As shown earlier, they are a valuable resource in fish + chips etc. It so happens that now their fins are also a valuable byproduct.
Furthermore, if one has been to North America, one will find that Shark Cartilage is extensively used there. You'd probably find more shops selling shark cartilage there than those selling sharks fins soup.
'Live finning' or harvesting sharks is NOT the norm but, with the powerful western media, the 'shock + awe' film footage of live finning is shown ad nauseum! Even so, it is laughable to suggest that this procedure is cruel as if all our chickens, cows are not bled to death!
So let's stop beating around the bush and consider whether we want to or not contribute to a good cause? Otherwise, we could keep finding excuses not to and let other's to do their responsible part in this world.
All I can say, at least they are not killed for fun or abused, they are killed for food. Men has killed, skinned, hunted, reared etc animals for food and clothing since the beginning of the world. This is only natural and understandable human behaviour.
If anyone has issues eating any of these animals as food or how they are killed for food, then they should be vegetarians.
And if they are vegetarians out of compassion for animal rights, then they should likewise have more compassion for their fella human beings.
So what if a person is an animal lover and still capable of hacking a person into 11 parts? Isn't it weird that some people can have more love and compassion for animals than for a human being? Now, this is not natural and understandable human behaviour.
What a weird world we live in.
Furthermore, according to CITES, only 3 species of sharks are endangered. The other 300 odd species can be freely traded which means it's OK to consume shark's fin soup, just like eating your ikan kembung or bawal hitam.