Three in four people here would support legislation to reduce the
consumption of shark fin, a World Wide Fund for Nature Singapore
(WWF-Singapore) survey has found.
The poll, which surveyed 504 people in Singapore in October and
November last year, also found that over eight in 10 people here
think that it is acceptable to serve alternatives to shark fin soup
at wedding banquets.
Popular alternatives include double boiled soup and braised
soup.
Traditionally popular at Chinese wedding banquets here, shark fin
soup has come under fire over the years for its adverse impact on
wildlife conservation.
According to WWF-Singapore, around 100 million sharks are killed
each year for their fins. Over 180 shark and related species are
considered threatened as of 2010, up from just 15 species in
1996.
The conservation organisation's chief executive Elaine Tan said
attitudes towards eating shark fin are changing.
"It is clear we are experiencing a cultural change where
preservation of our ocean resources and conservation of the shark
species is becoming more important to the majority of the public
than the traditional value of shark fin soup," she said.
"It is time for businesses to step up and match the public's
expectations, stop selling shark fin and support sustainable
seafood."
The survey also found that over eight in 10 people here have not
eaten shark or ray meat in the past year. Government legislation on
shark fin is not new.
In recent years, countries like Malaysia, China and Hong Kong have
imposed bans on shark fin being served at official functions.
Brunei was the first country to ban the catching of shark species
and shark fin trade in 2013.
ST