My Story

Growing up in Asia, I was introduced to the delinquency of shark fin soup at an early age. Moving to the US in 1992, I continued to enjoy on of my favorite dishes until 2005 when I became ill.

Working with medical specialists in Seattle, it was determined that I had a high level of mercury in my system that was not only causing the problem but will now and forever, significantly impact my quality of life.

Additionally, it has been determined that the cause of mercury poisoning is due to my years of consuming shark fin soup. (And other shark products) I urge anyone who might be reading this post to research the facts (Not the Asian propaganda) and make the choice that is BEST for you and your family. I only wish I had found out the truth earlier. . . .

Best wishes

Note: I am not affiliated with any group, cause, company or organization – I am just a private individual exercising my right to free speech and sharing my personal experience.

Shark Fin Soup A Dangerous Delicacy

Study Finds High Mercury Levels In Chinese Dish

(AP) A wildlife group on Wednesday presented a new study to back its claim that shark fin soup in Thailand contains mercury poison, an allegation that provoked a $2.6 million lawsuit by the sellers of the Chinese delicacy.

The San Francisco-based conservation group, WildAid, said it will submit the study conducted by a leading Thai laboratory to a Bangkok civil court as part of its defense in the lawsuit.

"We told the truth when we said that sharks are in trouble and that the people eating them may be too," WildAid Thailand president Kraisak Choonhavan told reporters.

He said the study by Chula Unisearch, a testing laboratory of Chulalongkorn University, showed that 15 of the 45 randomly purchased shark fins in Bangkok had more mercury than is considered safe for humans by the Thai Food and Drug Administration.

One sample had a mercury concentration seven times the FDA limit, according to the study, which was partially funded by WildAid.

WildAid also said shark populations around the world are in rapid decline due to overfishing and increased demand for shark fin soup.

WildAid first made the allegation about mercury levels a year ago, prompting shark fin soup restaurant owners and other retailers to sue the group for $2.6 million.

The plaintiffs said WildAid's claim had damaged their businesses. They said they will withdraw the lawsuit if WildAid apologized and withdrew its claim.

According to WildAid, sharks are predators at the top of the food chain and so end up as receptacles for all the toxic material that has been consumed by smaller fish feeding in polluted coastal waters.

Shark fin soup is highly popular among Chinese populations and is a top draw at restaurants in Bangkok's Chinatown. A bowl of high-quality shark fin soup can cost as much as $100