 The shark fins have been a part of traditional Chinese medicine for centuries.Shark finning is banned in many countries, but the trade is thriving in Hong Kong and China, where the fins are part of shark fin soup, a dish considered a delicacy, and used in some types of traditional Chinese medicine.The tortoise (freshwater turtle, "guiban") and turtle (Chinese softshell turtle, "biejia") species used in traditional Chinese medicine are raised on farms, while restrictions are made on the accumulation and export of other endangered species.