A few months back, I blogged about how shark fin soup is a common delicacy among the wealthy in Asian countries and how as a youngster I was not only around shark fin soup during holidays and special occassions, but have consumed it several times in my life.
At the time, little did I know the cruel practice of shark finning. The process is short and simple. Sharks are caught in the water and their fins are sliced off. Then they are thrown back into the water where they are left to slowly die. In the last two decades, some shark populations have decreased by nearly 90%. I didn’t even think man was capable of overfishing to that capacity. And need I remind you that you are still more likely to get hit by a deer in your car than to be attacked by a shark in the water.
Forget the movies, sharks are actually non-agressive. And kind of cute.
With all that being said, my mom recently returned to Taiwan to visit some relatives. Before she left and in casual conversation, I had briefly mentioned to her the issues of shark finning. Well it turned out that my conversation made a difference! When she came back she told me how my uncle had invited about 15 people out to a very nice dinner. Of course, the first serving was a bowl of shark fin soup. My mom was the only one to decline the soup.
Now this may not make that much of an impact on the shark population – but I am so proud of my mom! Not only did she risk the chance of defacing my uncle (if you treated someone to an expensive delicacy and they said no, you would probably take a little offense), but she also cut a cultural tie that she has been connected to her since birth. For Asians it isn’t the taste of shark fin soup. Its the fact that it is the food of the emperors and rulers. It is the food of the elite. So for her to say no was not only a small step towards ending shark finning but a huge personal step in realizing that cultures need change.
One person can make a difference!
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Way to go Mama Tai! Seriously, it is really hard to stand up for what you believe in the face of so many opposing views. It’s even harder when those who oppose you are your friends and family.
Like you said–it starts with one person changing what they do. One of my all-time favorite quotes is attributed to Margaret Mead: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” So true!