Shark fin merchants will stage their second protest in as many weeks today against Cathay Pacific's decision to stop carrying shark fins on its cargo flights.
The plan was announced as Cathay revealed shipment figures yesterday showing that the volume of shark fin it transported comprised only a small part of the global trade.
The merchants sought to step up their opposition despite admitting that the ban would not make a significant economic impact on their industry.
"The ban will greatly harm our industry's reputation," Marine Products Association chairman Ricky Leung Lak-kee said.
The protest will be held near the Admiralty offices of the Swire Group, a major shareholder of the carrier. The association will be joined by the Shark Fin Trade Merchants and the Hong Kong Dried Seafood & Grocery Merchants associations.
Hong Kong is a major hub for the global shark fin industry. Data from the Census and Statistics Department showed that 83 countries or territories supplied more than 10,300 tonnes of shark fin products to the city last year.