An increasing number of organisations such as WildAid, that protect the rights of the animals worldwide, have started a campaign to stop with the cruel practice of cutting shark fins, which are then used to produce shark fin soup. This soup is a very popular item in the Chinese cuisine, to the point that it is even considered a luxury product (it can cost around $100).This organisation attempts to make the Chinese population aware of the impact of their consumption, and end with the myth that the fins will end up regenerating. To obtain their objective they have counted on the support of a famous sportsman, Yao Ming, in their advertising campaigns. There is also an exhibition that shows pictures of fishermen cutting their fins.
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I think this is a really positive iniciative, that shows that the importance of issues such as the environmental protection is increasing in the country. However, although it is having a positive response among some of the population, there are many who are still reluctant to stop their consume of this product, especially because it is a sign of wealth. The fact that materialism is so deeply rooted in the Chinese society might be the biggest barrier to hold back this practice.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-15007841
As for so many other environmental issues, the government of any 21st century country should be able to stop the activities that are detrimental to its territory, its fauna and flora, and more specifically if it affects any protected species around the world. I do think there is no excuse for those governments that do not react against the practice of activities such as poaching. Their duty is to ban them and then prosecute those who actually keep on practising these activities.
ReplyDeleteFunny enough, if you order shark fin soup in restaurants in China (even in really expensive ones), they'll just serve you the soja-product equivalent of it... and most people wouldn't even notice. Just another Chinese trick ;)
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