Source: Sharksavers.org

The shark has been a revered animal of the sea since we can remember or better yet since the advent of the Television and the Camera. The movie 'Jaws' brought the killer shark to life when the hollywood version of the shark spelled doom for any prey that came across it. 

Then there were documentaries on Discovery Channel, the National Geography Channel and Animal Planet where sharke enthusiasts would come close to sharks in metal cages and other metal gear that could not be destroyed by sharks. Despite all the photographs and videos, we're still afraid of sharks after alarming number of shark bites and killings on beaces in Australia, and America's West Coast.

There are warnings and blackades in ocean waters next to signs that say 'Shark Attack.'

But this has not stopped us from overfishing sharks. The same conditions are true for whaling in Japan. The debate continues around the world about the value of fish meat to humans vs. endangering whale and fish species. While several watchdogs in Europe, Asia and the U.S. monitor shark populations, the facts are not clear.

President Obama recently said that sharks are no longer overfished according to statistics. The same rationale is used by those who hunt shark for fins for the exceeding demand for shark fin's soups. 

Source: Julie Anderson, sharkangels.com/ Shark fins from many species.

Shark fin soup medicinal properties are touted as assisting longevity. The reasoning stems from the notion that swimming long distances with cartilage tissue in their fins, makes them live long lives. There are other claims that sharks do not get cancer, and that shark liver oil is great for human skin. Various components of sharks are used in vitamins and medicines without much insight into the age-old benefits of shark fin soup.

This claim is refuted by an opposing group that says that shark meat is not good for you, and the U.S. claims shark meat contains excessive amounts of mercury and should not be eaten by children and women. 

Source: U.S. FDA report