GEORGE TOWN, Jan 18 — The Penang government is collaborating with non-governmental organisation, World Wide Fund (WWF) Malaysia, in the “My Fin My Life” campaign to save sharks.
WWF Malaysia executive director, Datuk Dr Dionysius Sharma said the campaign was aimed at reducing shark fin consumption and promoting sustainable seafood.
He said WWF wanted to have at least 20,000 restaurants and 500 business companies committed to not serving shark fins at their events.
“The state government has pledged not to serve any shark fin soup at all state official functions since June 2015 and some hotel chains have already removed shark fin from their menu and are committed to sourcing for sustainable seafood,” he told reporters, here, today.
Earlier, the campaign was launched by state Welfare, Caring Community and Environment Committee chairman, Phee Boon Poh.
Sharma said annually, at least 100 million sharks were killed due to the high demand for their fins.
He said according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation, Malaysia was ranked as the world’s 9th largest producer of shark products and third largest importer in terms of volume.
“In 2004 alone, Malaysians had increased shark fin consumption from 38 to 366 tonnes and we hope to raise public awareness on the need to reduce shark fin consumption,” he added.
Phee said shark fin soup traditionally symbolised wealth, power, prestige and honour to the Chinese community, but he hoped that for this coming Chinese New Year celebration, they could use other alternatives to express the same.
“With the Chinese New Year coming soon, why don’t we appreciate that we are rich in love and culture instead, to save sharks,” he said. — Bernama
