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Hong KongHealth & Environment

Campaigners call for Hong Kong grocery chain to be prosecuted over sale of 'whale curry'

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The fin whale that is listed as an ingredient in the product is classified as a “most endangered” species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. Photo: SCMP Picture
Ben Westcott

Home-grown grocery chain 759Store is under an intensified campaign from a Washington-based green group that wants Hong Kong customs to arrest and prosecute the retailer’s management for selling “whale curry”.

The call from Sea Shepherd conservationists came five days after a 759 branch in Tuen Mun was caught carrying the offending canned food that, according to its label, contained meat from the critically endangered fin whale.

Sea Shepherd Asia director Gary Stokes said in an official letter to customs and excise commissioner Roy Tang Yun-kwong that if the authorities did not take action, Hong Kong would become an international laughing stock.

READ MORE: ‘Whale curry’ taken off Hong Kong grocery store shelves as conservation group warns illegal meat could be tainted

“This case is very serious,” Stokes wrote. “A challenge has been made against Hong Kong’s customs and excise authorities. I only hope that you can rise to this challenge and show the world that Hong Kong is very serious about combating wildlife crime.”

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On Friday, a 759 spokeswoman said they had imported the whale meat by mistake and had handed all tins over to the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department.

A spokeswoman for the department said they had confiscated 233 cans and were investigating the matter.

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The maximum penalty for selling whale meat in Hong Kong is a fine of HK$5 million and imprisonment for two years.

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