hi snow baby
i guess you already know about the cruelty bit. so no need to repeat.
but, even if it's not for eco reasons, think it's better to have a nice double boiled soup with, like kate suggested, fish maw (if fresh it's really expensive, usually dried) or, like me, i had plain old chicken with herbs than a starchy concoction with a few strands of "sharks' fin" of doubtful quality or even origin.
if still undecided, you may want to consider your invite list - mostly traditional, "shark's fin plus ten changes of gowns" equals wealth" or younger, more socially and ecologically aware people like you - before making a decision.