The Editor,
Re: "Shark fin soup creates a stir," News, Feb. 22.
Having never been able to understand the practices involved in the killing of sharks for their fins for such a wedding soup, my mouth dropped as I read that now abalone was being recommended as an ethical substitute.
It should be clear that any abalone consumed in soup will not be from B.C. since, as the DFO website (http: // www.pac.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/fm-gp/rec/species-especes/shellident-identcoquille-eng.htm#ABALONE) clearly states, "Due to serious conservation concerns, the entire coast of B.C. is CLOSED to harvest of abalone. Northern (or pinto) abalone are protected in Canada under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). Illegal harvest is considered to be the most significant threat to northern abalone recovery."
It further states, "Help stop the illegal harvest and sale of abalone - report violations to 1-800-465-4336."
Although not an expert on abalone, it had been my understanding that in most regions of the world, abalone is either endangered or quickly to be on the endangered list.
At this point, one can safely say that it is not an ethical substitute. Watch out dogfish! We can only hope that all the parts of these fish will be eaten and not just their fins.
Barbara Zeigler Richmond
