More shark controversy

[pannonian]

What disgusts me most is how the fins are harvested. The sharks are dragged up, the fins removed, then the still-living shark thrown back into the sea. If the industry used the whole shark, it wouldn't be so disgustingly wasteful.

I've actually tasted shark fin soup, and most of the taste comes from the chicken that's cooked with it, something confirmed by people who know more about it than I do. I suspect the popularity of shark fin lies in its relative rarity, its consumption a statement that one can consume something so pointless and expensive. A lower grade version of the rhino horns and other stuff there also seems to be a market for. Whose harvesting is also similar to that of shark fin, the horn hacked off and the rest of the rhino left to rot. But I guess ostentaiously wasteful decadence is a proud part of the Chinese culture, or at least the top end that some people aspire to.

[Trien Chieu]

What disgusts me most is how the fins are harvested. The sharks are dragged up, the fins removed, then the still-living shark thrown back into the sea. If the industry used the whole shark, it wouldn't be so disgustingly wasteful.

Go to the chinese grocery stores, most of them selling shark meat as well. Therefore, some of the sharks are fully used.

I've actually tasted shark fin soup, and most of the taste comes from the chicken that's cooked with it, something confirmed by people who know more about it than I do. I suspect the popularity of shark fin lies in its relative rarity, its consumption a statement that one can consume something so pointless and expensive. A lower grade version of the rhino horns and other stuff there also seems to be a market for. Whose harvesting is also similar to that of shark fin, the horn hacked off and the rest of the rhino left to rot. But I guess ostentaiously wasteful decadence is a proud part of the Chinese culture, or at least the top end that some people aspire to.

Regarding Rhino horns, all the killings are pretty much done outside of china and not by the chinese people. Please do some research. Yeah, I wonder why no one here condemning people who kill the rhinos just for the horn?? Is that not as horrific?? I guess the main reason is people who killing rhinos just for the horns are not chinese. Therefore, it's ok to kill rhinos just for their horns.

[xJadedx]

Regarding Rhino horns, all the killings are pretty much done outside of china and not by the chinese people. Please do some research. Yeah, I wonder why no one here condemning people who kill the rhinos just for the horn?? Is that not as horrific?? I guess the main reason is people who killing rhinos just for the horns are not chinese. Therefore, it's ok to kill rhinos just for their horns.

Because this thread is about shark finning, not killing rhinoceros for their horn. If you start a thread for that, I can guarantee you that most people will be condemning those who kill rhinoceros only for their horns (or people who hunt elephants just for the ivory). No one said it's ok to kill the animals for their horns.

People are condemning the cruelty of the actions irregardless of who the perpetrators are. It doesn't matter if it's Chinese people or non-Chinese people who commit these acts, it is still cruel.

If you don't have the capability to follow logic or reason, please just don't post.

[Candide]

I thought Chinese eat everything? Why would they throw the sharks back in the sea?

[Guo Xiang]

But I guess ostentaiously wasteful decadence is a proud part of the Chinese culture, or at least the top end that some people aspire to.

I find this very offensive, especially when you makes it sound like only the Chinese are hunting the sharks and rhinos, which is far off the mark.

Besides, being wasteful is not a behaviour limited to only Chinese.

I thought Chinese eat everything? Why would they throw the sharks back in the sea?

I have no idea how shark meat is when it comes to taste and texture. But if both are not to liking (ala no market value -> no money), that would be a major reason why it's wasted.

[pemberly]

I have no idea how shark meat is when it comes to taste and texture. But if both are not to liking (ala no market value -> no money), that would be a major reason why it's wasted.

it's not that there's no market value. it's just low market value. it would be financially more beneficial for them to not fill up their cargo hold with cheap shark meat instead of more shark fins.

shark meat is not bad eats. like...meatier fish, haha. think chicken of the sea, literally.

[remember_Cedric]

I thought Chinese eat everything? Why would they throw the sharks back in the sea?

Maybe it's not a wide practice to eat the whole shark.... but I do remember there was shark meat served at a buffet I went to.

Personally, I'm not a fishfan and have phobia for eating a whole fish due to the choking on fishbones incidents so I only restrict to eat fishcake, fishballs or fish fillets, not sure about the taste of shark meat (not that I will eat them knowingly either).

[Banh Mi]

I find this very offensive, especially when you makes it sound like only the Chinese are hunting the sharks and rhinos, which is far off the mark.

No, your comprehension just sucks. He didn't anymore imply anything exclusive to Chinese culture. Just that as a generalisation it is mainstream in Chinese Culture. Just like Chinese people eat rice and have black hair. Definitely not exclusive to Chinese people, but definitely describes them well enough.

[pannonian]

No, your comprehension just sucks. He didn't anymore imply anything exclusive to Chinese culture. Just that as a generalisation it is mainstream in Chinese Culture. Just like Chinese people eat rice and have black hair. Definitely not exclusive to Chinese people, but definitely describes them well enough.

Or more accurately, I'm pastiching TC's tendency to defend everything as a proud part of Chinese culture. Are there things that are ethically wrong? Well, if it's a traditional part of Chinese culture, nothing is going to stop him from doing it. It doesn't matter how long that tradition has been going, or how rare it was in the past, the tradition argument, and by extension the Chinese patriotism argument, justifies everything. Is hunting sharks disturbing the food pyramid? Never mind the ecological system, you must be anti-Chinese to argue against it.

[Trien Chieu]

Or more accurately, I'm pastiching TC's tendency to defend everything as a proud part of Chinese culture. Are there things that are ethically wrong? Well, if it's a traditional part of Chinese culture, nothing is going to stop him from doing it. It doesn't matter how long that tradition has been going, or how rare it was in the past, the tradition argument, and by extension the Chinese patriotism argument, justifies everything. Is hunting sharks disturbing the food pyramid? Never mind the ecological system, you must be anti-Chinese to argue against it.

I support preserving cultures whether they are chinese, japanese, korean, french, african, ect....

I believe the chinese should have every right to consume shark fin soup. Japanese should have every right to consume whale. French should have every right to consume horse meat. African should have every right to consume zebra. ect...

There are certain food that I wouldn't want to eat but that is just me. If other people want to eat and as long as it's not against the law of the land, I am ok with it. Even if I don't agree with it, I don't protest it because it is part of their culture. If killing rhinos for their horn is part of south african culture, then even if I don't agree with it, I don't speak out against it. However, I would boycott the product and that is my right to do so. Who am I to judge?

[Banh Mi]

Or more accurately, I'm pastiching TC's tendency to defend everything as a proud part of Chinese culture.

Ok, my comprehension sucks even worse.

[pemberly]

don't feel bad. someone here's comprehension sucks even more.

[xJadedx]

don't feel bad. someone here's comprehension sucks even more.

I wonder who that is.

[pandamao]

I support preserving cultures whether they are chinese, japanese, korean, french, african, ect....

I believe the chinese should have every right to consume shark fin soup. Japanese should have every right to consume whale. French should have every right to consume horse meat. African should have every right to consume zebra. ect...

There are certain food that I wouldn't want to eat but that is just me. If other people want to eat and as long as it's not against the law of the land, I am ok with it. Even if I don't agree with it, I don't protest it because it is part of their culture. If killing rhinos for their horn is part of south african culture, then even if I don't agree with it, I don't speak out against it. However, I would boycott the product and that is my right to do so. Who am I to judge?

Lol - I have nothing to argue. Your logic is rather hard to explain ...

I'm just thinking, "how many sharks must I save to make up for the closed-minded folks out there?"

TC - you are right that we should not be butting into other cultures customs, however, I believe the Chinese are only constraining themselves by allowing these customs to prevent them for progression. Of course, killing sharks aren't really shutting anything down. But after reading so many pages of your post, I say you are preventing yourself from improvement.

A person that does not understand the importance of preserving endangered species is equivalent to someone not realizing the importance of preserving resources.

And in my opinion, saving an endangered species is the same as adhering to various EPA guidelines. Since there's no division to Earth (belongs to everyone), the Chinese, as a courtesy, should take some action in preserving Earth.

TC - before you start jumping at me, the Americans, French, Canadians, Japanese, ETC. all have faults as well.

So back to my counting ... the world will need to start a shark farm to breed sharks so the Chinese can enjoy their tradition. Taking all donations right now - TC, would you care to donate since this benefit is enjoyed solely by your friends?

[Trien Chieu]

Lol - I have nothing to argue. Your logic is rather hard to explain ...

I'm just thinking, "how many sharks must I save to make up for the closed-minded folks out there?"

You live in a free country so you can do whatever you want as long as your actions don't affect other people

TC - you are right that we should not be butting into other cultures customs, however, I believe the Chinese are only constraining themselves by allowing these customs to prevent them for progression. Of course, killing sharks aren't really shutting anything down. But after reading so many pages of your post, I say you are preventing yourself from improvement.

There is no such thing as perfect culture and the chinese people don't need approval from people of the cultures. Just do what they like, no need to change to make others happy.

A person that does not understand the importance of preserving endangered species is equivalent to someone not realizing the importance of preserving resources.

And in my opinion, saving an endangered species is the same as adhering to various EPA guidelines. Since there's no division to Earth (belongs to everyone), the Chinese, as a courtesy, should take some action in preserving Earth.

I refuse to listen to people like Yao Ming, Al Gore, David Suzuki, and other environmentalists. They keep telling average people to conserve and making sacrifice for the common good while they consume many dozen times as much as refuse to do the same. As for preserving the earth, I do whatever I can in my term. I recycle whatever I can on a daily basis. Water bottles, plastic, bags, cans, papers, flyers, and organic recyling, ect... Driving small car instead of big car.

TC - before you start jumping at me, the Americans, French, Canadians, Japanese, ETC. all have faults as well.

Sure, that is life.

So back to my counting ... the world will need to start a shark farm to breed sharks so the Chinese can enjoy their tradition. Taking all donations right now - TC, would you care to donate since this benefit is enjoyed solely by your friends?

No, I am not rich. It's better to leave my hard earn dollars in my bank account than give them away. I believe in Supply Demand Theory. If the supply is low, price will rise and the level of consumption will decrease. As the level of consumption decrease, the population of shark will rise. As the population of shark increases, supply will increase, price will go down, demand will increase. The cycle continues....

[Ken Cheng]

There is no such thing as perfect culture and the chinese people don't need approval from people of the cultures. Just do what they like, no need to change to make others happy.

What if it's not about making others happy, but making sure that the ecosystem that we all live in is still there for our descendants?

[xJadedx]

What if it's not about making others happy, but making sure that the ecosystem that we all live in is still there for our descendants?

Ken, don't you read what he posts? It isn't abut the ecosystem, it's about not listening to Al Gore, Yao Ming, and David Suzuki. There's no such thing as damages to the ecosystem, just celebrity propaganda.

[remember_Cedric]

You live in a free country so you can do whatever you want as long as your actions don't affect other people

What if your actions WILL contribution to affecting other people? Maybe not right away, but in the long run? You know something about percussion? Not the musical one.

You and your (selfish) likes, who consistently get brainwashed by thinking this whole sh1t is nothing but only a propaganda (without having the least bit of courtesy to find out the facts yet live the luxury at the expenses of our descendants), are no better than a criminal, morally. And, more good news to come, when the eco-system goes completely haywired, it means you and your likes have finally "raped" our eco-system without a least bit of guilt, you rapist!

[Ken Cheng]

What if your actions WILL contribution to affecting other people? Maybe not right away, but in the long run? You know something about percussion? Not the musical one.

Psst...cedric, it's "REPERcussion," not "percussion." "Percussion" is drums and cymbals and the like.

[pandamao]

You live in a free country so you can do whatever you want as long as your actions don't affect other people

How do you not see this affecting anyone? The population of sharks play a big role in the ecosystem chain. Poor Nemo is affected by this and I'm not happy that Nemo is not happy either.

There is no such thing as perfect culture and the chinese people don't need approval from people of the cultures. Just do what they like, no need to change to make others happy.

This is out of the scope. Please stop generalizing my comments. It's not about "changing to make someone happy.' This is about making improvements to their actions so there are fewer negative outcomes from their actions. Isn't this what the Chinese were taught back in the days? I'm not condemning them on their consumption of shark fin - I'm requesting regulation on this practice. Control the industry and modify their hunting practice. No where do I see any ounce of "approval of their culture" in this ... please stop throwing these random comments to make your argument more sound. It's not working. If you were arguing with kids, you might stand a chance.

I refuse to listen to people like Yao Ming, Al Gore, David Suzuki, and other environmentalists. They keep telling average people to conserve and making sacrifice for the common good while they consume many dozen times as much as refuse to do the same. As for preserving the earth, I do whatever I can in my term. I recycle whatever I can on a daily basis. Water bottles, plastic, bags, cans, papers, flyers, and organic recyling, ect... Driving small car instead of big car.

Dude, have you heard of environmentalist? Did you snooze your way through science classes. Always, and I mean always, research what others say before you follow blindly. Have you done your research? No one is asking you to be a hypocrite like them (let's assume they are), but ignore their skewed mentality and do your part. My grade school teacher always told me, "Don't do as I do but do as I say." It's hard for people to follow-through in life but don't give yourself the same excuse.

Sure, that is life.



No, I am not rich. It's better to leave my hard earn dollars in my bank account than give them away. I believe in Supply Demand Theory. If the supply is low, price will rise and the level of consumption will decrease. As the level of consumption decrease, the population of shark will rise. As the population of shark increases, supply will increase, price will go down, demand will increase. The cycle continues....

So what about the diminishing supply? When the supply cease to exist? So I guess no one can enjoy the beauties of sharks and all that follows in the chain because you refuse to contribute to the preservation? TC - YOU REFUSE TO REGULATE THIS INDUSTRY YET YOU ALSO REFUSE TO HELP PRESERVE THIS INDUSTRY. EVERYONE'S MONEY IS HARD EARNED DUDE!!!!

How about you just hush then? You are one of those blood sucking vamps that is all about taking all the resources while you are still alive.