Shark Finning: An attack on the Chinese Economy and Culture

Shark finning has quickly come to the forefront of environmental policy disputes throughout Europe, Asia and the Americas. With escalating pressure from environmentalists and heightening popular support, many governments, including world leaders such as the United States, European Union, Australia, and Brazil, have already placed restrictions or bans on the shark fin trade.

            However, one major world economic and political power, China, remains the strongest supporter and legal defendant of the industry. The shark finning is a vital part of the economy of many middle class, coastal towns and cities throughout China. This multi million dollar industry has grown significantly over the past decade and has become deeply imbedded in the economic stability of these regions, as shark finning is a highly specialized trade. The exact effects cannot be quantified, but with a global ban of shark finning, China’s prosperous and globally vital fishing industry would face severe stagnation, including high unemployment for middle class fisherman. The economic effects faced by China would also cause further ripple effects throughout the global fishing market, hurting world trade, as well as increasing the severity of growing food shortages currently experienced by a majority of China’s population. This has already impacted trade shown by significant decrease in imports to Hong Kong, as seen in the graph below. This graph explains how trade between Hong Kong, a major importer and dealer of shark fins, and other major trade nations has slowed with the the ban on shark finning.(Clarke 2007)

Figure 1. Annual Shark Fin Imports to Hong Kong from the USA (◊ ) and the EU (■) and Total Hong Kong Imports (▲) (Clarke 2007)

Economics aside, a ban of shark finning is inherently racist. Shark fin soup, the major use of shark fins, is deeply embedded in Chinese culture. These bans have tended, in the words of California State Senator Leland Yee, to be, “too broad, banning the sale of the fins from properly fished sharks caught for their meat.” These bans are considered by many to be an attack on Asian culture and will cause significant backlash from the global Chinese population. (Kauffman 2013)


Works Cited

Clarke, S. (2007). Social, Economic, and Regulatory Drivers of the Shark Fin Trade. http://ageconsearch.umn.edu/bitstream/47060/2/06-Clarke-03-12.pdf (Date Accessed: February 21, 2013).

Kauffman, J. (2013). Is Banning Shark's Fin Racist? SF Weekly. http://blogs.sfweekly.com/foodie/2011/02/is_banning_sharks_fin_racist.php (Date Accessed: February 21, 2013).

Shark Divers. (2012). Pro Shark Finning Talking Points - Got Counters? Shark Divers. http://sharkdivers.blogspot.com/2012/02/pro-shark-finning-talking-points-got.html  (Date Accessed: February 21, 2013).

SpeedEndurace. (2008). Shark Fin Soup and Benefits of Shark Cartilage. SpeedEndurance. http://speedendurance.com/2008/06/19/shark-fin-soup-and-benefits-of-shark-cartilage/ (Date Accessed: February 21, 2013).