Sentosa IR says ‘no’ to shark’s fin

But high rollers can stillrequest the dish, saysResorts World, which will also launch marine life fund
Neo Chai Chin, Today Online 30 May 08;

DISNEY in Hong Kong did it. Now, Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) is also keeping shark’s fin off the menu at all its banquets and restaurants, when doors open in 2010.

But high rollers can still get their dish and eat it too — the Chinese delicacy will be available on request at the integrated resorts’ private gaming rooms, said Ms Krist Boo, RWS’ head of communications.

For business’ sake, “we will never say no to a high roller, but we will try to educate and persuade them”, she said, adding that alternatives like scallops and lobsters would be available.

The IR operator made the announcement yesterday as it launched a marine conservation fund, a move wildlife activists dubbed timely and in the spirit of corporate social responsibility.

On the shark’s fin issue, WS has also roped in wildlife welfare groups WildAid and the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres) as partners.

Because of the large scale of RWS — it expects to contribute at least $15 billion in tourism revenue by 2015 and will house the world’s largest oceanarium with 700,000 marine species — the company felt it could “make an impact across Asia” by removing shark’s fin from its menus, said Ms Boo.

“It is a very bold step for a casino to take. A lot of high rollers are Chinese, and businessmen.”

Acres’ executive director Louis Ng said: “We hope that this is a good step that the rest of the corporations and, most importantly, the restaurants, resorts and hotels will follow.”

Mr Peter Knights, executive director of San Francisco-based international conservation group WildAid, said: “Sharks are like the flagship species for the oceans. They’re something people can understand, and what’s happening to them is typical of what’s happening in the oceans.”

To boost marine research, conservation and education, RWS also launched the RWS Marine Life Fund, which will sponsor efforts of researchers, non-governmental organisations as well as students aged 10 to 18.

Entirely funded by RWS, whose parent company is Genting International, the fund will “start small” with up to $100,000 given out this year and next, said Ms Boo. When the resort opens in two years’ time, annual funding will be increased to $1 million.

A quarter of the fund will be set aside for school projects, and there is no cap on applied funding. Applications for $20,000 or less will be assessed by an RWS committee, while those seeking more than $20,000 will also be assessed by an independent reviewer, such as a conservation agency.

Groups from around the world may apply while details have not been firmed up, Ms Boo said. All factors being equal, a project closer to home would probably be given more priority.

Although RWS’ oceanarium drew objections from nature groups when announced two years ago, RWS hopes that through the Marine Life Fund, a group of young volunteers for the oceanarium can eventually be formed.

In 2006, Acres was among a handful of societies that opposed the IR’s oceanarium on grounds that it confined “limitless numbers of animals to attract and entertain the public”.

Mr Ng yesterday said Acres would “evaluate” the partnership with RWS, and admitted there were still “issues to iron out”.

RWS has also in recent years helped to relocate the corals from Sentosa’s northern coastline affected by reclamation works to the Southern Islands.

No shark's fin served here
Resorts World at Sentosa shows its commitment to the environment
Shobana Kesava, Straits Times 30 May 08;

SHARK'S fin is off the menu at the massive casino resort being built on Sentosa, making it only the second major retreat in the region to shy away from the controversial delicacy.

The decision by Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) is designed to promote goodwill and highlight the complex's commitment to the environment, said vice-president of communications Krist Boo.

Shark's fin has recently become a highly contentious dish. Environmental groups have stepped up protests against restaurants and resorts that offer the cartilage soup, saying about one-third of shark species in the world are critically endangered. It is estimated that tens of millions of the animals have their fins cut off annually before being thrown back into the sea where they die.

While RWS will not serve the cartilage soup in its restaurants, it will make it available to high-rollers, the lucrative guests who gamble heavily in casinos.

'We did our sums and we cannot say no to the high-rollers. But we felt at least 90 per cent of what might normally be served will be done away with if we take it off the menu,' Ms Boo said.

Yesterday's decision is virtually unheard of in large entertainment centres and casinos in the region.

Only Hong Kong Disneyland has taken shark's fin off the menu. That was prompted by international campaigns by animal welfare groups.

Yesterday, the executive director of United States-based environmental group WildAid welcomed RWS' decision.

'No arm twisting was necessary here. This was completely their call,' said Mr Peter Knights, who attended a press conference at the resort.

The move will see RWS' Chinese restaurants lose a possible money maker, said Ms Boo. Its straw poll of four Singapore restaurants and one hotel chain found up to 70 per cent of their revenue comes from shark's fin and abalone, she said.

Mr Louis Ng, executive director of Singapore's Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (Acres), doubts the dish will be missed.

'There was a restaurant serving up fake shark's-fin soup for years here before it got caught, which goes to show we don't need shark's fin,' he said yesterday.

Both Mr Knights and Mr Ng helped RWS announce another programme yesterday: a wildlife conservation fund into which RWS said it will put $3.2 million over the next five years. The RWS Marine Life Fund will hand out grants to projects designed to help protect sea life. A quarter of the available funds are expected to go to schoolchildren.

Resorts World at Sentosa drops shark's fin from menus
Channel NewsAsia 29 May 08;

SINGAPORE: Growing affluence is fuelling demand for a popular Asian delicacy – shark's fin.

According to a recent survey carried out by Singapore's Environment Council and US-based conservation group Wild-Aid, 70 million sharks are killed each year to meet the demand for shark's fin, resulting in a reduction in the number of sharks by as much as 90 percent over the last 20 years.

However, the popularity of shark's fin soup among customers often means that most restaurants cannot afford to drop the dish from their menus.

Louis Ng, executive director, Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES), said: "In the past, if you didn't serve shark's fin at your wedding dinner, others would term you as cheapskate."

To support conservation efforts, one of Singapore's upcoming integrated resorts - Resorts World at Sentosa - said it would not be offering shark's fin on its menu when it opens in 2010. It does not, however, rule out exceptions.

Krist Boo, Resorts World at Sentosa, said: "In the private gaming rooms, if a high roller asks for shark's fin, we will serve it and that's a business decision."

Together with its move to keep shark's fin off its menus, the resort has also launched a Marine Life Fund as part of its corporate social responsibility programme.

It has set aside some US$70,000 (SGD$100,000) for 2008 and 2009 to fund research and conservation efforts, and up to US$700,000 a year when the resort opens in 2010.

A quarter of the fund will be reserved for school projects with a marine conservation theme.- CNA/so

Sentosa launches fund to further marine cause
Business Times 30 May 08;

RESORTS World at Sentosa (RWS) yesterday launched a fund to sponsor education, research and conservation efforts related to marine life in a bid to further the marine conservation cause.

The RWS Marine Life Fund will disburse up to S$100,000 each year in 2008 and 2009, and up to S$1 million each year from 2010 when the Resort opens.

'We hope to see some good applications for the Marine Life Fund. What's exciting for us is that this fund is not reserved only for established conservation groups, but it has a pocket solely devoted to kids,' said RWS's Communications head Krist Boo.

'We hope it will encourage children to learn about the ocean, and to love it. The online application process is easy for all.'

The new initiatives launched are an extension of the Resort's conservation efforts. In 2006, RWS undertook the initiative to relocate corals and other marine life around the northern coastline affected by reclamation works that were carried out as part of the Resort's construction.

To encourage and cultivate an interest for the oceans, besides researchers and NGOs, the Fund is also open to schoolchildren. 25 per cent of this Fund will be set aside for kids working on school projects related to marine conservation. There is no cap on the applied funding, and projects could span anything from fieldwork to classroom models. All applications will be assessed by a RWS committee which oversees the Fund, and for applications for funding above $20,000, an independent reviewer will be included in the assessment.

Resorts World at Sentosa boosts marine conservation efforts with the launch of RWS Marine Life Fund and a shark fin free menu
Resorts World Sentosa press release 29 May 08;

Singapore, 29 May 2008 – Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS) today launched a fund to sponsor research, education and conservation efforts related to marine life, to further the marine conservation cause. The RWS Marine Life Fund will dispatch up to S$100,000 each year in 2008 and 2009; and up to S$1 million each year from 2010 when the Resort opens.

To encourage and cultivate an interest for the oceans, besides researchers and NGOs, the Fund is also open to schoolchildren. 25 per cent of this Fund will be set aside for kids working on school projects related to marine conservation. There is no cap on the applied funding, and projects could span anything from fieldwork to classroom models. All applications will be assessed by a RWS committee which oversees the Fund, and for applications for funding above $20,000, an independent reviewer will be included in the assessment.

Reinforcing this commitment to marine conservation and research, the Resort also announced that shark fin will not be offered on the menus of banquets and restaurants throughout the Resort. Instead, alternatives to this traditional Asian delicacy, often served at celebratory and wedding dinners, will be made available. RWS is taking this step in the belief that the consumption of shark fin is currently unsustainable due to the declining shark population and growing demand for shark fin.

RWS’s Communications Head Krist Boo, who oversees the project, said, “We hope to see some good applications for the Marine Life Fund. What’s exciting for us is that this fund is not reserved only for established conservation groups, but it has a pocket solely devoted to kids. We hope it will encourage children to learn about the ocean, and to love it. The online application process is easy for all.”

She added, “As for shark fin, we are taking it off the menu because being a landmark project in Asia, we believe we can make a difference. There are communities that have consumed shark meat and fins for generations and we respect that. What we are advocating is an end to mass consumption patterns that appear unsustainable for the shark population. We are fortunate to have WildAid and ACRES, two well-respected conservation groups, as partners in this cause.’’

Mr Peter Knights, Executive Director of WildAid, headquartered in San Francisco, said, “Just as with action to stem global warming, it is vital that corporations and the public take the lead, as government action is invariably too little too late. By eating alternatives, consumers can help to save sharks and protect our oceans and we applaud Resorts World at Sentosa’s lead on this.”

Mr Louis Ng, Executive Director of Singapore-based ACRES (Animal Concerns Research and Education Society), said, “ACRES applauds RWS for leaving shark fin soup off their menu and we urge the public to support this progressive move. We certainly hope that other companies and restaurants follow RWS’s example which will undoubtedly make a difference for the world’s remaining sharks.”

The new initiatives launched today are an extension of the Resort’s conservation efforts. In 2006, RWS undertook the initiative to relocate corals and other marine life around the northern coastline affected by reclamation works that were carried out as part of the Resort’s construction. To preserve a part of Singapore’s natural marine heritage, the affected corals were moved to the Southern Islands, and are now thriving in their new homes.

Application procedures for the RWS Marine Life Fund are available at www.rwsentosa.com

About Resorts World at Sentosa
Slated to be one of the world’s most exciting family destinations, Resorts World at Sentosa is a collection of resorts and attractions with a plethora of fun-filled offerings for the entire family.

Taking pride of place on Singapore’s resort island of Sentosa and spanning 49 hectares, this S$6 billion mega-resort will be home to Southeast Asia’s first and only Universal Studios theme park, the world’s largest oceanarium and the region’s first integrated destination spa.

The resort also boasts some 1,800 rooms, spread across its six hotels of varying themes, with full conference and meeting amenities. Topping the list are Maxims Residences, Hotel Michael and Singapore’s very own Hard Rock Hotel.

Beyond resorts and attractions, world-class entertainment such as the Crane Dance – a spectacular multi-media moving art with cleverly choreographed animatronic cranes, set out at the waterfront – will also be presented to the public.

A 1,700-seat theatre will feature a magical dreamlike extravaganza with water, light and visual effects, alongside retail and dining options at the Festive Walk with roving acts and street performances at the Bull Ring.

Indeed, come 2010, Resorts World at Sentosa looks set to welcome 15 million visitors. It will be a place that Singapore can proudly call its own.

About WildAid
WildAid is an international conservation organization dedicated to reducing the demand for endangered and threatened wildlife products (see ww.wildaid.org) WildAid’s shark campaign is designed to improve management of shark fisheries, end the practice of “shark finning” and to reduce consumption of shark fin soup to sustainable levels.

About ACRES
ACRES is a local charity and Institution of Public Character, founded by Singaporeans in 2001, with a main aim of fostering respect and compassion for all animals. It has embarked on numerous projects to improve the welfare of captive animals and protect wild animals throughout Asia. Tackling the illegal wildlife trade has been a major focus in recent years.

ACRES has created much-needed awareness on animal protection issues through extensive educational outreach efforts. It strongly promotes community involvement in addressing animal protection issues, and thousands of individuals have volunteered with ACRES to make the world a better place for animals. It currently has more than 12,000 individuals on its supporter database.

Media contacts
Lee Sin Yee
Resorts World at Sentosa
Tel: + 65 6407 9769
Email: sinyee.lee@RWSentosa.com

Adeline Lee
Weber Shandwick
for Resorts World at Sentosa
Tel: +65 6825 8011
Email: ali@webershandwick.com