starting july 1,2011, hawaii will become the first state to outlaw the consumption of shark fin, according to a yahoo news article entitled, "no more eating shark fin in hawaii after new law" that was posted on yahoo's website approximately 2 hours ago.
the article states that shark fin harvesting has brought the species to near extinction. nearly 89 millions sharks are killed in international waters each year-- AP writer audrey mcavoy claims some fins are lopped off and the carcasses are just dumped in the ocean to rot. the article stresses that both chinese food culture and hawaiian culture include shark fin as a status symbol for those who can afford it ($17 for a cup of shark fin soup) and who ascribe to the worship of ancestral gods and legends. the article highlights both the popularity of shark fin but simultaneously its draw to the elite--"in hong kong, high end [chinese] restaurants can charge $1,000 for premium shark fin" (par. 9)--and chinese food culture loyals. even though the article reports that shark is rather flavorless, the sauces and preparation make the dish enjoyable. shark fin may prevent cancer and may provide other good nutritional benefits, which is one reason why the illegalization of shark fin upsets some people.
i was attracted to the plight of shark fin eaters because i too am an enjoyer of food. i love french fries, gummy worms, and many other empty calorie choices. the thought of a worldwide potato shortage sends me into immediate panic. what would i do without my golden sticks of comfort? like shark fin, french fries provide some nutritional benefit since they are made from vegetables; they are full of fiber and contain no cholesterol. but i understand that i may not be the only enjoyer of this product and could possibly contribute to the cause of its overproduction. as if the ban itself wouldn't be terrible enough, the government would meddle and intervene and establish a law to restrict the sale and consumption of this food item and distract important law makers from more pressing issues at hand-- like instigating world wars and approve low-life lazy hypocrites for medicaid.
enjoy your shark fin, rich people. as if there is no other food item on your ritzy menu that could reasonably satisfy your palate. and swim freely, little sharks, in the depths of the oceans doing whatever it is that you do that deserves protection under the united states government. don't feel guilty for depriving the patrons of kirin restaurant of their "'indulgent activity'"-- i'm sure they will find some other animal to nom on.
meanwhile, i cling tightly to my deep-fried potato wedges; whatever would i do without them.
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