I am pointing to the modernization of the Chinese culture that has allowed their economy to boom that causes the demand. Now more and more Chinese are able to afford this kind of treat. When you have a country of a billion people and now 5% of those people can afford an expensive bowl of soup...thats ALOT of dead sharks.
For the record it can be argued that man has caused the extinction of many animals in ancient history. North Americas "mega fauna" comes to mind.
Luckily I have provided more points in this debate then you (heck you even agreed with me on one) so dont say my post wasnt helpful, yours sure wasnt.
Actually shark is VERY good when fresh and cleaned immediately.
In my PERSONAL experience, sharks in the area I fish (Gulf of Mexico) are doing very well. Its not uncommon for us to run the beaches during the summer between Pensacola and Destin and see hundreds of bulls, black tips, spinners, hammers, bonnets, even makos a day! Usually just yards from the beach were people are swimming. Hence why I DONT swim down there any more!