Anchoring the anti-shark's fin message

Straits Times 22 Jan 12;

Travellers at Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal yesterday were greeted by sharks - made of cardboard.

The cut-outs are part of a campaign to persuade Singaporeans not to eat shark's fin - used mainly in soups in Chinese cuisine.

The campaign, called Say No To Shark's Fin, is a joint effort by conservation group WWF and the Singapore Cruise Centre (SCC). Booths with information about shark conservation will be located at the terminal until Feb 12.

Spokesmen from the WWF and SCC said they hope to bring the message of marine conservation to the cruise centre's passengers, especially during the Chinese New Year holidays.

Ms Christina Seow, SCC's chief executive, said the exercise marks the group's commitment to promote responsible tourism.

Visitors can learn more about shark conservation from WWF representatives at the terminal, as well as pledge to stop eating shark's fin.

One such visitor was Mr Dass Moses, 40. The operations supervisor, who describes himself as a 'shark lover', said he had seen documentaries about sharks that were left for dead after their fins were harvested. He stopped eating shark's fin more than 10 years ago.

'The poor fellas are dying out there. I feel very sad when I think about it,' he said.

Yen Feng