Malaysia: Call to put sharks on endangered list

Nor Ain Mohamed Radhi New Straits Times 24 Nov 11;

Aquaria KLCC recently launched its second conservation campaign, "Save Our Fins", to rescue sharks from the brink of extinction.

Its managing director, Datuk Simon Foong, said the campaign urged people to stop eating shark's fin soup.

"Millions of sharks are killed for their fins yearly. We are urging the public to stop asking for shark's fin soup," said Foong, adding that shark fishing and finning is cruel and wasteful.

He said after the fins are cut-off, the sharks are thrown back to the sea to die.

The campaign was launched with the support of The Body Shop, TV3, FlyFM, New Straits Times, The Department of Fisheries, Malaysian Nature Society (MNS) and the Tropical Research and Conservation Centre (TRACC).

Foong said the campaign's tagline "Out of the sea, into the city" illustrates the fate of sharks which are brought out of its habitat and into the consumer world.

"In line with the campaign, we are encouraging the public to sign a petition to 'Say No to Consuming Shark's Fin Soup'.

"The petition will be handed over to the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro Based Industry in the hope that sharks will be put on the endangered species list here," said Foong.

He said there are seven zones in the shark exhibition at the Aquaria where visitors can learn everything about sharks.

KL Mayor Tan Sri Ahmad Fuad Ismail, who officiated the campaign, said City Hall would always support the campaign.

"We should opt for other seafood that is easily available," he said.