Ban shark fin imports, Philippine Airlines urged after 'illegal' shipment found in Sheung Wan
Open letter signed by more than 100 groups and individuals says airline breaching its commitment to sustainable development by continuing to transport the fins to Hong Kong.
Philippine Airlines is under renewed pressure to stop transporting shark fins to Hong Kong after a local green group found what it described as a “suspected illegal” shipment in Sheung Wan.
About 100 groups and individuals have given their support to an open letter sent to senior executives of the airline, urging them to publicly commit to ending the trade.
Overall imports of shark fins to Hong Kong fell 35 per cent last year compared with 2012, WWF-Hong Kong says.
The fall comes amid a crackdown by the central government on extravagance and corruption, and pressure by environmental groups to stamp out the trade.
The letter says the airline “directly contradicts” its commitment to sustainable development by allowing carriage of shark fins and related products on flights from Manila to Hong Kong.
It was written after a WildLifeRisk, a Hong Kong conservation group, and FinsAttached, an ocean-advocacy group based in the United States, discovered what they suspected was an illegal shipment of shark fins sent from Dubai by Philippine Airlines.