"CHICAGO -- At Ming Hin Cuisine in Chicago's Chinatown, a giant shark fin decorates the wall in the main dining room, and shark fin soup is offered on the banquet menu for customers willing to pay the price."
"While a typical banquet might run $30 to $40 per person, adding the dish raises that cost to $80.
'It's very popular with older people, especially for wedding parties and baby showers,' said Ling Liu, the restaurant's manager. 'It's impressive.'
But that status as a delicacy has contributed to what many consider a threatened shark population across the globe. To draw attention to the issue, a study to be released Thursday shows that endangered shark species are being consumed in those soups."
Vikki Ortiz Healt and Ted Gregory report for the Chicago Tribune August 8, 2012.
SEE ALSO:
"Attack Survivors Aim To Save Sharks With U.S. Soup Study" (Reuters)
"In Shark Fin Soup, A Dash of Biodiversity" (Greeen/NY Times)
Shark Week's 25th Year Begins August 12 (Discovery Channel)