Anti-shark's fin campaign catching on with MPs?

Cheow Xin Yi Today Online 2 May 12;

SINGAPORE - Even as an animal welfare group prepares to submit a formal proposal to the authorities for the banning of the shark's fin trade here, a movement to get the dish off the dining table is catching on among some Members of Parliament and grassroots leaders.

At least three wards - Chong Pang, Canberra and Cashew - have stopped serving shark's fin soup during grassroots functions.

Nee Soon GRC Member of Parliament (MP) K Shanmugam, who looks after the Chong Pang ward, told Today: "I took the view that we should avoid shark's fin on the menu for functions which Chong Pang organises. I spoke with my grassroots leaders and they were supportive of the move."

Mr Shanmugam, who is also the Law and Foreign Minister, said the decision was made in June last year after an animal welfare forum held by Chong Pang Community Club in collaboration with the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES).

He added that, personally, he had decided for some time not to consume the dish.

At a youth forum in 2010, Nee Soon GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak, along with other MPs present, was asked if he would refrain from serving the Chinese delicacy during constituency dinners.

Dr Lim, who takes care of the Canberra ward, replied that he did not think he would and, while he did not want any sharks to become extinct, he pointed out that not all shark populations were endangered.

Alluding to his earlier comments, he told this newspaper that his position remains unchanged. The recent decision is not a "ban" per se, he said.

"The step forward was not an official position ... part of it was also not to be too 'extravagant'. Nutrition-value wise, other things are more nutritious. Fish maw is better," said Dr Lim, who added that the issue is sensitive and "not everybody" will agree with the decision.

Cashew ward is under the charge of Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Vivian Balakrishnan. Grassroots leader Linda Ng said a "conscious effort" has been made to replace shark's fin with fish maw at the ward's functions since late last year. Their reasons included budget considerations and residents' preferences, as well as "the knowledge of how shark's fin is created" as a dish, said Mdm Ng, who chairs a residents' committee.

ACTIVISTS SEEK TRADE BAN

While the debate worldwide rages over the impact of shark's fin consumption, major supermarket chains here have recently pledged to stop its sale. Activist groups have also launched anti-shark's fin campaigns here.

ACRES executive director Louis Ng said his organisation - together with Shark Savers and Project: FIN - hoped to submit a formal proposal by the middle of the month to the National Development Ministry, asking the Government to consider a trade ban on shark's fin.

He said the proposal will include academic and scientific references to the decline in shark populations and propose how Singapore can implement the ban, drawing examples from other countries.

On getting buy-in from MPs and grassroots leaders to stop serving shark's fin at constituency functions, Mr Ng said ACRES decided to focus on Chong Pang with hopes of it becoming a "model constituency" rather than approaching all 87 MPs.

He said: "When you start on something, it's very hard for people to follow, but as soon as they see that one constituency has jumped on the bandwagon, slowly others will start."

The strategy appears to be making headway: Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Liang Eng Hwa said he might take the cue from Mr Shanmugam and Dr Lim. "I will certainly study this carefully and take a stand later on," said Mr Liang, who looks after Zhenghua ward.

However, Nee Soon GRC MP Lee Bee Wah, who takes care of Nee Soon South ward, said she will not be part of the "bandwagon", as Mr Ng put it.

She said: "To me, it is more critical to look into housing for Singaporeans and energy conservation … I believe there are some who want (shark's fin) and some who don't want it. So I will let them decide and come to a consensus."

SharkAid campaign reaches Singapore
Melissa Chong Channel NewsAsia 1 May 12;

SINGAPORE: A global effort to save the sharks reached Singapore's shores on Tuesday.

For the first time, local celebrities and conservationists stood in unison at a public concert, SharkAid 2012, at Cathay Cineleisure.

The event is organised by Animal Concerns Research & Education Society (ACRES) and Shark Savers Singapore.

Singapore, which is the first stop of SharkAid, has one of the highest per capita consumers of shark fin soup.

It ranks second, behind Hong Kong, in the size of the trade in shark fins.

In a survey of 500 Singaporeans, half of the respondents who consume shark fin soup said they continue to consume the soup because the dish was placed in front of them and they didn't want to see the food wasted.

A carnival was also held to engage Singaporeans on the role of sharks in the marine ecosystem.

Jonn Lu, director at Shark Savers Singapore, said: "Singaporeans are foodies and we love our food. If we want our chilli crab, lobsters or stir fried prawns, it is in our selfish interest to save sharks because without sharks, all commercial fisheries are going to be affected."

SharkAid 2012 is part of the international Shark Savers movement with some 24,000 members in 99 countries.

- CNA/fa

Let us take the initiative in conservation efforts
Letter from Michael S Smith Today Online 1 May 12;

I REFER to your report "Goal to make S'pore free of shark's fins" (April 23), about some organisations pushing for a ban on the trade in shark's fins in Singapore.

An Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority spokesman was quoted as saying that "it will continue to monitor the conservation status of sharks and restrict trade in any species which is endangered".

It was stated that Singapore follows the lead of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which decides every three years if an animal is threatened with extinction.

The problem with Singapore's choice to be a follower, rather than a leader, is that CITES is not an organisation capable of determining which animals are threatened with extinction.

Many of the people who manage that trade organisation have a conflict of interest, in that they represent traders of such animals or animal parts.

They have a vested interest to find the few scientists who will agree with their assertion that animals such as sharks are plentiful, so that they and their supporters can continue to trade in products such as shark's fins.

Singapore must do its own research or look at independent research, to make its own decision as to which species are endangered. After that, Singapore should pass its own laws to regulate trade in applicable species. It is time that we step up to be a leader in Asia.

We can make S'pore fin free
Letter from Murali Sharma Today Online 1 May 12;

I REFER to the report "Goal to make S'pore free of shark's fins" (April 23) and applaud the anti-shark's fin fraternity for persevering.

They have not been discouraged by their small inroads previously and have ratcheted up their efforts year after year.

This year, they are adopting a multi-pronged course of action, from reaching out to the heartlands and schools, to media campaigns, which should bring substantial progress.

Two local communities, Chong Pang and Canberra, should be congratulated for banning the delicacy from the table at official functions.

Hotels and others who support this campaign are also to be congratulated, as they are likely, at least in the short term, to lose some business. Traders and supermarkets seem likely to follow.

For their media campaign, perhaps the organisers could consider featuring international and local celebrities and VIPs to increase awareness.

I remember reading that former Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian's daughter refused to have shark's fin soup at her wedding banquet.

Such publicity may get Singaporeans' attention.

Ultimately, it is about attitudes. People have long associated the serving of shark's fin as a status symbol, one that reflects the host's wealth.

So, it must be taught from young, when habits form the foundation of adult behaviour, that this is about upsetting the ecological balance of the oceans. Talks in school can, therefore, play a vital part in this campaign.

Each time a person decides not to serve shark's fin at an official or celebratory dinner, it has a salutary effect on fin consumption in Singapore and perhaps sends a message to other consumers.

Shark numbers are declining, so let us all do our part in this noble cause.