As one of the world’s importers of shark products, Hong Kong markets are known for the variety of shark fins for sale. Consumers use dried shark fins to prepare shark fin soup, a dish thought by many to have many health benefits. Hiding in the fins, however, is an element that could make for a toxic broth.
College of Arts, Sciences & Education Ph.D. student, Laura Garcia Barcia discovered the level of mercury in shark fins sold in Hong Kong far surpassed the mercury content allowed by law, making them dangerous to consume and illegal to sell.
Garcia Barcia hopes to put an end to the illegal sale of these products and emphasizes to consumers the harm these fins are doing not only to people but to the entire shark population.
To read the full story by Melissa Cristina Marquez, visit Forbes.
