How can some cultures in Asia still think this is acceptable?

I am a diver and I love all animals, in the ocean and on land. How can some people think that eating things like Shark fin soup and bits and pieces of endangered animals is okay? Do they not realize these animals are disappearing? Do they not know that these ancient cultures and beliefs of ritual medicine are not real? Do they realize that these animals are being tortured and killed and very soon will no longer be around? What will you do when they are no longer living?