Well it seems the Chinese don't, except the fins to make shark fin soup. This "delicacy" is a sign of wealth and prestige. It is served at weddings, business luncheons and high-end restaurants.
How do they get the fins? In many cases the shark is caught, the fins are cut off and the shark is then tossed back into the water to die. (warning graphic) In other cases the bodies are brought back to shore where their fins are cut off to be sold. This practice is done around the world to supply Hong Kong and China, two of the biggest buyers.
In Hong Kong recently, eighteen thousand shark fins were found on top of a roof drying, According to National Geographic 40 million sharks are killed each year, though some scientists estimate it to be over one hundred million. Ninety percent of some shark populations have been exterminated. This has caused an outcry from environmentalists around the world, putting pressure on governments to change their policies. Even China will be banning shark finning by the year 2015. They have already taken the soup off the menu at government public banquets but some say it's more because of public resentment of the government's extravagant spending than the plight of sharks. The U.S passed the Shark Conservation Act recently , unfortunately it has an exception. But more has to be done by all the countries and every individual.
Hopefully by now you're asking what can you do to stop this. Write to the United Nations tell them you oppose shark finning and the sale of shark fins and any product made of shark fins. Ask them to put pressure on those countries that allow this to happen. Sign petitions calling for the banning of such practices.
The following are a few places to check out for more ideas.
Humane Society - International - http://www.hsi.org/issues/shark_finning/tips/help_stop_shark_finning.html
Sea Shepard - http://www.seashepherd.org/sharks/what-can-be-done.html
Savingsharks.com - http://www.savingsharks.com/
I know I put in many links but I felt it was necessary to get the point across. Hopefully you've found them informative, interesting and moving. Thanks for coming by and possibly taking a stand.