what shark-eating restaurants to avoid in the Philippines?

[vladimir]

What I'm pointing out is that there are a large portion of HUMANS on the Earth that can barely survive and because of that don't come close to thinking about the conservation of another species. If you are able to be concerned about another species besides Homo Sapien, you are better provided for than many of the world's residents. I totally support awareness of the earth and its various inhabitants, animal and human, but we have to face the fact that many of the Earth's human residents exists in survival mode and not Best Buy mode. If you don't understand this, you have probably never been in an impovrished, war-torn country. These places exist and are much different from the USA.

If you think that poverty has anything to do with demand for shark's fins, you have never seen Ferraris and Bentleys parked two-deep outside of a Hong Kong restaurant serving $100 bowls of shark's fin soup.

I would not judge a poor person who feeds his family with shark, or by catching shark. I judge the wealthy people who demand it to feed their vanity.

 

[vladimir]

Are you awared that El Nido also export bird's nest to the highest bidders? Harvesting the nests are actually the livelihood for many locals.
You should try to petition the local barangay captain to ban the harvesting. Good luck.

Ah, but bird's nests are harvested in a sustainable way, and might actually create incentives to maintain habitat.

 

[vladimir]

Do you people not realize that Viagra or whatever other drug is not available everywhere in the world?

It certainly is a harsh world.

Do you not realize that--mythology notwithstanding--shark's fin does nothing to enhance your sexual potency?

 

[Matthew]

Do you people not realize that Viagra or whatever other drug is not available everywhere in the world? Do you not realize that, in other cultures than US/European, natural and tribal rituals are as real, believed, and practiced as Christianity is in "western" culture?

Yes monkey, we do realize that. But we are talking of Philippine restaurants that serve sharks fin dishes, mostly upscale, expensive places which are definitely not venues for "natural and tribal rituals" or for those "that struggle with personal and familial survival daily." Izel cited above 2 of the biggest reasons people patronize these dishes, the first is borne out of superstition, the 2nd, from ego. Viagra is widely available here, but even if it was not, I find extremely stupid your insinuation that it's ok to eat exotic animals instead. We do respect other people's beliefs, but not at the expense of OUR natural resources.

This is the aquarium displayed in front of the Chinese restaurant across Manila Pavilion Hotel on Maria Orosa St., the name of which I can't remember at the moment:

D
It seems this board is full of self-righteous, ignorant, narrow minded, arrogant twerps.

No, they are rare, you are the first one in a long time.

 

[Babydamulag]

Did you know that Crown of Thorns are dried and eaten by some African tribes to grow their TiTi??? Some of you need to start gathering COTS!!!

 

[Matthew]

You tried it?

 

[Babydamulag]

I have too much already...not necessary.....

 

[CODMAN]

It seems this board is full of self-righteous, ignorant, narrow minded, arrogant twerps. Some have saved me from believing that completely. Please add to my confidence in the scubaboard community...

Monquee, you have some reasonable/ valid views (in my oppinion)... Don,t spoil it by going "Postal" here... You can shoot down your credibility faster than you can type Shark fin...

 

[clgsamson]

No, they are rare, you are the first one in a long time.

How about a fresh pineapple orange welcome drink? No?.

 

[Hammerhead]

No, they are rare, you are the first one in a long time.

I think just wet myself laughing.