Organization calls on gaming operators to eliminate shark fin from F&B sector

A California-based environmental organization is calling on gaming operators to remove their shark fin dishes from the menus at their restaurants as Macau is among the group of regions where the consumption of shark fins has been increasing.

WildAid, an organization focusing on reducing the demand for wildlife products, recently issued a report titled “Sharks in Crisis – Evidence of Positive Behavioral Change in China as New Threats Emerge,” showing that mainland China’s neighboring regions are experiencing an increase in demand for shark fin and meat.

In 2016, Macau beat mainland China – for the first time – for the highest volume of shark fin re-exports from Hong Kong, and has since seen a 62 percent rise from 88 tonnes to over 143 tonnes a year later.

Shark fin, known as one of Asia’s delicacies, is regularly served at traditional Chinese restaurants, as well as at traditional banquets.

The report estimated that 70 percent of wedding banquets in Macau include shark fin. Tourism websites promote popular eateries famous for their shark fin soup, encouraging tourists to try the delicacy in the city.

“That’s a very dramatic increase. We don’t have the numbers for 2017 yet but… it’s more than double,” said Alex Hofford, co-author of the report, to local state broadcasters TDM.

In 2013, the BLOOM Association Hong Kong conducted a survey of the availability of shark fin at the 33 casino-hotels that existed at that time.

The survey found that just two of the 33 casino- hotels did not serve any shark fin-related dishes, though 17 did provide shark fin alternatives.

“Most of the hotels have got shark fin on the menu and we are calling on all casinos in Macau to remove shark from their menus.  I mean, that shouldn’t be too much to ask [for], some American players to do it,” said Hofford.

The activist admitted that it is harder to remove shark fin from traditional Chinese restaurants.

Authorities confirmed that shark fin is banned from government banquets.

An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, the majority for their fins, with parts from up to 73 million ending up in soup. LV