No culture has the right to be barbaric – whether to animals or other humans – and we all, as users of this planet, have a responsibility to protect its inhabitants, regardless whether it’s happening over another country’s border.
I would never eat shark’s fin soup, even if that gesture caused offence. The practice of obtaining and eating it offends me more!

I’m a vegetarian who occasionally eats (sustainably sourced) fish (so a pescetarian, really) and I’m a member of the organisation ‘Compassion in World Farming’ (http://www.ciwf.org.uk/). I feel very strongly that if animals are going to be eaten by humans, they at least have the right to a pain free end and a dignified and happy life.

While factory farming in the UK leaves a LOT to be desired, there are at least legislations in place to purportedly protect farmed animals (though the reason I still don’t eat free range meat is because for most animals, the end is pretty terrifying with incompetents and sadists doing the killing, and even free-range animals often have immense suffering at the slaughterhouse). China has no such welfare laws, on any level, that protect animals and as sentient beings for the most part, we really should be doing more to change this.

And we can change it, if we care enough. Obviously, by never accepting to eat it (and definitely not buy it in restaurants) is a start. It actually wasn’t until fairly recently that shark finning was banned in UK waters, believe it or not (http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/oct/11/uk-shark-finning-ban-extinct), although its hardly ever been a delicacy here.

But I still feel we should look to our own practices before judging others. While fois gras, for example, is banned from being made in the UK because it is so extremely cruel to produce, there are many places to buy it, whether the local deli or a top end French restaurant.

Hopefully, the people who feel strongly about not eating shark’s fin would feel equal as strongly about opposing the production of fois gras, as well as veal (and why not look to France then, as well as China, for other examples of disgusting ways of putting food on our plates. As if we haven’t enough choice of food already, do we really need these ‘delicacies’?).

Another person mentioned that we should not force our opinions on other cultures; the only problem with that logic is that the oceans are for everybody. Nobody has a right to strip the earth of natural resources for short-term profits. If killing sharks was banned, I do not think anyone would loose sleep over it.

Like an above poster, I do find a significant difference in animals that are “farmed” for their meat and meat products, and those killed to the point of extinction in the wild for any reason. A cultural practice simply cannot be allowed to eliminate any species from the earth.

The sharks are endangered, and what most people don’t seem to realize is that without the sharks, the ocean would get totally messed up and eventually human beings will be in A LOT of trouble for our own survival. The sharks are incredibly important for the ocean!

What scares me the most is that there is a new “myth” in Asia that shark fins can heal and prevent cancer (this because sharks can’t get cancer), and there is so much money in the whole business.
Frankly, I’m quite terrified to what’s going on. And like you mentioned, they’re killed in the most horrific ways, they just cut the fin off and throw them back in the ocean again

It is NOT OK to eat shark’s fin soup or buy shark teeth or any of all that stuff.

I also disagree with all the Hummers and other super-sized vehicles that are so popular in North America. However, I can’t be “outraged” every time I see a driver of one of these vehicles.

I think my feelings are more of sadness. How can people live with such a disregard for other people and animals? I know I am also guilty, air travel is a big one so I can’t judge others so black and white.

I just hope more people increase awareness of these issues like you have.

Gary, you’ve summed it up well. There’s little governance of the open oceans, so it becomes a free-for-all with no regard to sustainability or animal dignity. And like you say, the issue of killing bears, tigers and other rare beasts for medicine production places the sharks as just a part of a bigger animal problem. But to stop the poaching of these species is impossible without reducing the demand for these ‘products’. And that’s a way bigger issue than just the sharks…

No answers, but a very interesting discussion. Thanks guys.