Health Issues
Despite popular belief, there has been no scientific evidence that shark fin soup has any health benefits for humans. In fact, studies show that sharks have high concentrates of mercury and other dangerous toxins. Pollutants in the ocean such as heavy metals are absorbed by not only sharks but all marine animals. These toxins cannot be excreted and move throughout the food chain as predators eat their prey. Since sharks are top predators, they consume and absorb a high amount of these toxins and then in turn humans do too when consuming shark fin soup. The organic form of mercury found in sharks has been linked to serious heart and neurological problems as well as infertility. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations have all recognized the danger of consuming mercury and therefore the danger of consuming shark. This is not to say that if you have one bowl of shark fin soup you will have serious health problems, but if it becomes a regular meal in your diet, then you should be concerned.