Author: Starre Vartan
Souce: Mother Nature Network
June 11, 2012

"It might not be your first choice for a vacation activity, but there are thousands of people the world over who weren't as scared by the movie "Jaws" as they were intrigued. I'm definitely one of them. Ever since I was a kid, I've had a huge curiosity, respect for, and desire to see a shark in its native habitat. These are not mutually exclusive feelings.
 
Keep in mind that not all sharks are the kind the are interested in eating — or even tasting — human beings. In fact, most sharks are after other prey that's smaller and easier. But all kinds of sharks are hunted for their somewhat valuable fins, which are used to make shark fin soup, which is considered a delicacy in Japan. This hunting has decimated shark populations.
 
While there are ongoing pushes to protect sharks based on their importance to the ocean ecosystem, a new study shows that there may be an economic benefit to protecting sharks from being made into soup. That's where people like me come in."

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