Attack survivors aim to save sharks with US soup study

* Study shows 81 percent of samples from at-risk species

* Tests done at 51 restaurants in 14 U.S. cities

* "You need to care about sharks" – attack survivor

ORLANDO, Fla., Aug 9 (Reuters) – Survivors of shark attacks – now trying to save the animals that took their limbs and, in some cases, nearly their lives – want U.S. restaurant-goers to know they may be eating a threatened species in their shark fin soup.

Out of 32 samples taken across the country of the Chinese delicacy with identifiable shark DNA, 26 bowls, or 81 percent, contained fins from sharks listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened, according to a report released on Thursday by the Pew Environment Group.

The study was based on tests of the soup in 14 U.S. cities, and shark attack survivors collected the soup samples.

The survivors hope the study will help convince the public that the ultimate price of shark fin soup is more than the typical $100 listed on menus.

Nearly one-third of shark species are in danger of extinction, and up to 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fins, Pew said.

President Barack Obama signed a law last year to tighten a ban on the practice of removing sharks’ fins and throwing the fish back into the ocean to die. Fins also can come from legal, regulated fishing.

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