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Danny Mok

Hong Kong traders are said to have sold more than 78,000kg of shark fins from five endangered species over the past two years, giving them the unenviable title of world No 1.
The figure shocked conservationists who had expected raised awareness about protecting the marine creatures to hit sales.
China’s biggest airline bans shark fin cargo
The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department said the city had imported about 19,625kg of shark fins in 2015 and 24,130kg last year from five ­endangered species.
An analysis from the Hong Kong Shark Foundation showed import volumes were also the highest in the world.

Prentice Koo Wai-muk, campaign head for the foundation, said local shark fin consumption data was not available from the government, but his analysis showed thattraders may have sold more than 78,000kg in 2015 and 2016.
The figure was obtained by the foundation calculating stock entering the cityfrom 2014 to 2017 and trade data from 2015 to 2016.
The local consumption of endangered shark fin is just a minimum estimation, but it’s quite alarming
Tanya Chan, lawmaker
“The figures are really worrying us. We thought Hongkongers’ awareness of shark conservation had been raised in recent years but still their shark fin consumption surpassed those from anywhere in the world,” he said.
Koo said the statistics may also include an unknown proportion of shark fins that were smuggled to other regions from Hong Kong.
The foundation urged the ­government to set up a mechanism enabling the public to recognise listed and other endangered shark species.
It should also set a target for the city to reduce its consumption of endangered species.
Lawmaker Tanya Chan, chairwoman of the Legislative Council panel on environmental affairs, said: “The local consumption of endangered shark fin is just a minimum estimation, but it’s quite alarming.
“I will request a discussion on the panel for improving the regulation of the local shark fins trade.”


Shark group puts bite on Hong Kong traders after shock finding

Shark fins on display at a dry seafood store in Western District. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Shark fins on display at the dry seafood store at Western District. 04JAN13

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It says 78,000kg of fins from five endangered species have been sold over the past two years and calls for government action


Shark group puts bite on Hong Kong traders after shock finding

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}It says 78,000kg of fins from five endangered species have been sold over the past two years and calls for government action

It says 78,000kg of fins from five endangered species have been sold over the past two years and calls for government action