Shark Fin Soup

In Costa Rica, shark populations have declined by 80% in the last 10 years, and in other areas almost 90% in the last 15. The shark fishing industry is primarily propelled by the demand for shark fin soup. The fishermen only use the fins of the sharks, slicing them off while they are still alive, then pushing them back into the ocean to drown or bleed to death. So far, the only countries to ban the practice are Brazil, US, Australia and Costa Rica.
The fin itself doesnt have much flavour, and soaks in the flavour of what is is cooked with.
Consumption of the soup is greatest in Asia, among upper class citizens. The public is currently being educated on how the fins are collected and the majority who know what happens, choose not to eat the soup. Resistance mostly comes from restaraunt owners, and fisherman who don't want to lose money.