Supported the Private Member’s Bill currently before Parliament banning the import of hunting trophies. Saeed Kamali Dehghan (4 June 2019). "Marine 'gold rush': demand for shark fin soup drives decimation of fish". the Guardian . Retrieved 14 July 2021. Only 5% of wedding guests say they like eating shark fin soup - survey". Hong Kong Free Press. 21 December 2016 . Retrieved 14 July 2021. a b c d Denyer, Simon (19 October 2013). "In China, victory for wildlife conservation as citizens persuaded to give up shark fin soup". The Washington Post . Retrieved 23 October 2013.

See also: Mercury in fish Shark fins and other shark parts for sale in a Chinese pharmacy in Yokohama, Japan

Shark finning is often associated with cruelty towards sharks, but it also has an impact on fishermen.

On 2 July 2012, the State Council of the People's Republic of China declared that shark fin soup can no longer be served at official banquets. This ban may take up to three years to take effect because of the social significance of the dish in Chinese culture. [68] Shark Fin Possession Bill Made Law Today in Guam". Guammicronesiadivetravel.com. Archived from the original on 25 March 2012 . Retrieved 1 November 2011. A popular, low-cost imitation shark fin soup ( 碗仔翅) made using vermicelli is widely available in Asia. [73] [74] They can also be made from cellophane noodles. [75] [11] Seafood companies in Asia later developed edible gelatinous products to imitate shark fins' qualities, commonly referred as "imitation shark fins". Supported the Private Member’s Bill currently before Parliament banning trade in detached shark fins.Karliah Brown (27 May 1999). "Fins for sale". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 27 March 2007 . Retrieved 8 January 2007. EU countries are banned from “shark finning”, a practice outlawed in many jurisdictions where fins are removed while the shark is still alive, with the fish then discarded. But the landing and sale of whole sharks is permitted, except for species listed by Cites. The shark fin industry is a multi-billion dollar industry, with demand primarily coming from Asian countries. However, the industry has negative economic impacts as well. Shark finning is indescribably cruel and causes thousands of shark to die terrible deaths. It is also unforgivably wasteful. The practice is rightly banned in UK waters, but the trade continues, with serious implications for the future of these magnificent creatures.” To combat shark finning, many countries have implemented bans and regulations. For example, in the United States, it is illegal to remove shark fins at sea.

Shark fin won't help fight cancer, but ginseng will". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 4 June 2007. pp.A1, A4 . Retrieved 24 March 2012. Sharks' fins are sold dried, cooked, wet, and frozen. Ready-to-eat shark fin soup is also readily available in Asian markets. [9] Schiffman, Lizzie (2 July 2012). "Illinois Shark Fin Ban: First Inland State Adopts Policy Against Fin Sale, Trade". HuffPost . Retrieved 20 November 2012.Many species of shark face significant population pressures. Out of over 500 species of shark, 143 are listed as ‘under threat’ under the International Union for Conservation of Nature – with different species ranging from ‘vulnerable’ to ‘critically endangered’. The presence and variety of sharks in marine areas acts as a key indicator for ocean health while the animals also play a vital role in marine ecosystems by helping to maintain healthy levels of fish below them in the food chain. Despite the efforts of campaign groups, conservation scientists and government bodies, the real power to end the fin trade is firmly rooted in the consumer. Without a doubt in Hong Kong there is still ample opportunity to buy shark fins, but does this mean the product is still in high demand? My investigations revealed a mixed response. Some people told me they had stopped eating shark fin soup altogether, others told me they still both expected it and enjoyed it at wedding and New Year banquets; other people said they ate it regularly.