We need to stop the demand for these fins and then the money won't be there. We need to stop this short sighted money blinded industry. The environment can't handle it.

Anyway, Beef cartilage is a better for glucosamine than shark cartilage.

Never forget who civilized them

I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the son's of men , that god might manifest them, and that thy might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of man, befalleth beasts; as the one dieth so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: For All Is Vanity. [ECCLESIASTES 3:18-19.]

"As a surfer, I've always considered eating shark really...really...Bad Karma."

So glad that Lisa Ling is going to be working on this...she's amazing a such a real person. I really admire her and hope to see more of her.

My son has always been fascinated with sharks We've seen shark week many times. We were also lucky enough to have family in Florida and Myrtle Beach, SC. We have sifted for shark's teeth and seen local fisherman catch baby sharks and throw them back to sea. We've also seen them in countless zoos, marinas, and oceanariums. They are beautiful creatures. I understand people's desire for sharks, but must we be gluttons about it? If we don't start replacing what is takes from the ocean, eventually it will run out of bounty. We need to start working on a plan to replenish sharks, tuna, and everything else that is being overfished. I'm so glad you are working on this story.

This whole situation is just so disturbing..70 million sharks. I assume that there is no regulation as to how much can be fished or else the number wouldn't be so large and the outrage wouldn't be so great. Why is it not illegal to kill these endangered animals in Taiwan? I know that here is the US there are regulations for fishing..for example, the crab fishermen off the coast of Alaska cannot fish over their individual quota or else they will pay huge fines. This ensures that there is enough crab for the next season (also the size of the crab is regulated..small ones go back into the ocean). If they don't want to make it illegal... then there should at least be some system in place..I assume that this horrible practice will not end anytime soon. Teaching people the concept of self responsibility will not be easy. Unfortunately, this over-killing of animal species is not just unique to sharks, but to many beautiful creatures. People aren't looking at the big picture here.

Dear Lisa Ling,

I guess that we should not buy fish from the Asian markets anymore. Sushi culture is growing and adopted by the American eating culture. A way to save the eco-system is to jeopardize the market for these products.

Good news! The Viagra industry has turned out eco-friendly. How? Seals are not hunted and killed as much for their organs that is used as aphrodisiacs. Viva Viagra!!!

I would like to know where this data is being pulled from. It would seem to me that with numbers as large as these that the population of sharks would have almost certainly dwindled by this point if in fact 70 million are taken from the ocean on any giving year. With this being the case one could also safley assume that the sharks would have been put on the endangered list by now. I don't know....food for thought anyway!

Thank you for helping to bring this clear case of gluttony and avarice to the world's attention. Hopefully, with increased awareness and education, world opinion will serve to moderate China's (and others) shark fishing practices before this ecosystem collapses and visits grave consequences upon all the peoples of the world..