Wang Yi-feng, general manager of the Kouhu Fisheries Cooperative in Yunlin County and a Taiwan tilapia expert, recently discovered that the caudal fins of the fish can replace shark dorsal and pectoral fins in shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy favored by the wealthy and reserved for special occasions.
Sharks are facing extinction as millions are slaughtered globally each year due to burgeoning demand for shark fins as Asia grows in population and wealth. This also means the ocean’s equilibrium is being seriously damaged because sharks are the top predator in the ocean and vital to its ecosystem.
Wang told Taiwan Today that just over a year ago, he began studying how to transform tilapia tail fins into a product very similar to processed shark fins, and the tilapia fins are already on the market as a substitute.
“Caudal fins of Taiwan tilapia are a perfect stand-in for shark fins because they have the same appearance and texture,” said Wang.
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By Steven Hedlund, SeafoodSource editor
12 September, 2011 - The National Fisheries Institute on Monday released its Top 10 list of America’s favorite seafood products in 2010.
Eight of the top 10 spots on the list remained unchanged from 2009. But two farmed finfish species — tilapia and pangasius — continue to climb the list.
 For the first time, tilapia overtook Alaska pollock to become America’s fourth most popular seafood item, at 1.45 pounds per capita in 2010, up from 1.208 pounds in 2009Read further a 
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