Reprinted from the South China Morning News, January 16, opinion
written by Sophie Le Clue, ADMCF’s director of environmental
programs: In one sense, 2011 was a good year for sharks. The
movement in Asia against consuming shark fin gained momentum
against a backdrop of new legislation to ban the trade in
California as well as several Canadian cities. In a domino
effect, shark sanctuaries were declared worldwide, covering
thousands of square kilometers. In China, the business community
also rallied against shark fin. To date, 142 business leaders
including chairmen and chief executives of leading companies
such as Lenovo, Haier and China Merchants Bank pledged not to
eat it, while hotels and clubs have committed to not serving the
infamous soup. On the government side, in 2011 45 members of the
Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference signed the
“Motion on Development of Regulations on Prohibiting Shark Fin
Trade”. Some members of the National People’s Congress also
signed the motion, which will be c