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SCMP Reporter

Should shark's fin be dropped from all menus?
I refer to the letters which appeared on this subject in Talkback on December 5 and 6.
WWF has been encouraged by the positive response from your readers.
We would like to clarify that WWF is not calling for an indefinite ban on the harvesting of sharks and shark's fin soup.
Rather, we want to see a balance being struck, between our needs and the ability of our living planet to regenerate natural resources.
Until shark fins from sustainable fisheries are available and can be distinguished from those that are not, WWF considers that the best measure for consumers is to avoid all shark products.
WWF works with governments, fishermen and other stakeholders around the globe to formulate management plans that can lead to sustainable and well-traced fisheries, including sharks. We are optimistic these efforts will lead in time to shark fins from sustainable sources.
Well-managed shark fisheries can use the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification system, which is the only global certification system for wild-caught fisheries meeting the guidelines of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation for eco-labelling.
WWF recognises and respects that the consumption of shark's fin or meat has cultural significance in regions like Hong Kong and the mainland.
However, the maintenance of such traditions will clearly be dependent on a move to supply from sustainable sources.
For example, overexploitation of a traditional ingredient, fatt choy, (a kind of cyanobacteria),  has not only exacerbated desertification in northern China but also led to a ban on harvesting. As a result, some restaurants in Hong Kong have had to remove dishes containing fatt choy from their menu. If we continue to fish sharks at the current rate, real shark's fin soup is likely to follow fatt choy and disappear from the menu forever.
We hope that more companies and other organisations will join the 26 that have already joined with WWF in the 'Master of the Sea' shark fin initiative, pledging not to sell or consume shark's fin during corporate dining.
This will send a strong message to the industry on the need to shift shark fisheries from being poorly managed to well-managed.
Clarus Chu, senior marine conservation officer, WWF Hong Kong
I  do not think shark's fin should be dropped form all menus.
It is one of those traditional  Chinese foods that represents wealth and happiness and it is especially popular at  banquets and other celebrations.
Moreover, if shark's fin is dropped from all menus, it will affect the living of those who catch  sharks, those who sell shark fins and even the restaurants that serve shark's fin dishes.
We should be looking for a sustainable solution so that, on the one hand, Chinese traditions and people's livelihoods are protected while, on the other, we are able to protect those species of shark that are threatened with extinction.
The government can introduce regulations such as limiting the quantity of shark fins (in tonnes) that are allowed to be imported into Hong Kong.
A high tax could also be imposed on the imported product. This will lead to a rise in the price of shark's fin dishes and, consequently, demand for these dishes will decrease.
The government can educate the public about the threat posed to species of sharks and it can emphasise the importance of being environmentally friendly. Also, it can  encourage restaurants to try using substitutes for shark's fin.
If these measures are implemented, then hopefully fewer people will eat shark's fin dishes. I think that in the long run this is better than imposing a blanket ban.
Vivien Au Wing-man, Yau Yat Tsuen
Should ParknShop have stuck to its 'no plastic bags' campaign?
The supermarket should have continued with this policy.
They should have stuck with it, because it was proving to be effective.  It was only in operation for five days and yet ParknShop raised HK$59,000, which went to the Community Chest.
I understand the money will be used for environmental education.
While the policy was in force, many ParknShop customers brought their own recyclable bags. This shows that it was working, because it seemed to be encouraging customers to reduce the use of plastic bags.
It was such a pity that the store decided to abandon what was proving to be such a successful campaign.
I think the U-turn  has adversely affected the reputation of ParknShop.
Some critics questioned the sincerity of the company to protect the environment and said it showed a lack of corporate social responsibility.
I accept that the campaign had some disadvantages. It did not state clearly how the money from the 20-cent voluntary levy would be used. However, I think the problems it faced were minor and could have been solved.
Essentially, I  think the campaign was  a good idea.
I hope ParknShop will reconsider its position and reintroduce the 'no plastic bags' campaign  in the near future.
Cheung Kai-kwan, Kowloon Tong
I am personally delighted that they did not stick to the policy of no plastic bags.
Personally, I use their plastic bags as bin liners and find it ironic that I would otherwise have to buy plastic bags to use as bin liners.
If they had stuck to their guns about the plastic bags, I would definitely have shopped exclusively at other supermarkets.
Landfills are not the result of supermarket plastic bags. They certainly do not feature greatly in my daily rubbish as I reuse them whenever possible.
Excessive packaging that cannot be reused on the other hand creates a large volume of rubbish. This includes packaging for water (why are we buying water?) with the ensuing umpteen empty plastic bottles?
Miniaturised packaging is an even bigger culprit.  Another example is boxes of  teabags that are individually wrapped.
I think it is about time we economised drastically on packaging and thought of other ways to market products.
B. Winterbourne, Happy Valley



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