Let’s end the practice of serving shark fin soup at weddings

Shark fin soup has become an expected component of Chinese weddings. The soup symbolizes generosity, health, and good fortune, appropriate themes to reinforce at such an occasion.

However, it is not at all fortunate that the shark fin soup that is served is likely to be very high in mercury. The bride and her friends are probably of child-bearing age. The mercury they imbibe from the soup will lodge in their bodies, accumulating together with mercury from other bowls of shark fin soup and other seafood they have eaten in the past or will eat in the future. The mercury will remain in their bodies for years. This mercury can then cause damage to the developing nervous systems of their children yet to be conceived, as well as cause harm to themselves. From mercury, the groom and his male guests may suffer from a lowered sperm count.

The shark fin soup is also causing untold damage to the oceans and the destruction of shark populations around the world. That is not a desirable consequence of an otherwise happy and auspicious occasion.

Many couples are taking the principled decision not to serve shark's fin soup at their wedding. True, it is sometimes difficult to approach one’s parents with this idea. But, children are capable of educating their parents, too!

If you are planning a traditional Chinese wedding or other banquet:

• Spend time patiently explaining to your parents about the dangers of shark fin soup and why it is important to you that your wedding not be tarnished by serving it. Show them the articles on this website, here, or download the "Say 'No' to shark fin soup Brochure", below.
• Choose a banquet hall that offers delicious alternatives to shark fin soup that could play a comparable traditional role. Some banquet halls may resist this idea because shark fin soup is very profitable for them. But, this is your decision, your wedding, and they will comply if you are firm.
• Download the "Wedding Banquet Table Card", below, and have it printed. Place them on the tables at your banquet explain your decision. Or, create your own cards that reflect your own thoughts, and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it them to us.
• Consider using the money that would have been spent on the shark fin soup and use it for a purpose that would bring greater honor to your family.

Download:

• front page Brochure - front.pdf
• inside page Brochure - inside.pdf