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Singapore is the world's second largest trader of shark fin! | WWF-Singapore

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In a survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature, more than half of the respondents said they ate less shark fin in the past 12 months, and most thought a shark fin soup alternative would be acceptable at banquets.

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SINGAPORE: Three out of four consumers in Singapore think the Government is not doing enough to protect sharks, and would support legislation against shark fin consumption, according to the results of a survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) released on Wednesday (Feb 3).

Most respondents - 82 per cent - said they did not consume any shark or ray meat in the last year. For those who did, 74 per cent of them had shark fin soup at wedding banquets. But more than 80 per cent said an alternative to shark fin would be acceptable, with the majority opting for double-boiled or braised seafood soup as substitutes.
A BAN ON SHARK FIN?
The survey, which polled 504 people, found that most people who reduced their consumption of shark fin did so because of an increase in awareness of shark protection.

More than three-quarters of respondents also said they would pay more for seafood that is responsibly sourced, although 55 per cent said only if it was a "small increase".

According to the wildlife protection group, around 100 million sharks are killed each year for their fins.

"In the absence of sustainably managed shark fisheries, the demand for shark fin is putting many shark species under extreme pressure with shark populations unable to replenish at the same rate they are caught and finned," it said.

Ms Elaine Tan, CEO of WWF Singapore, said there has however been a cultural change, and that the preservation of ocean resources and the conservation of sharks are becoming more important to the majority of the public than the traditional value of shark fin soup.

"It is time for business to step up and match the public's expectations, stop selling shark fin and support sustainable seafood," she added.

Regional Director of the Asia-Pacific at NGO Shark Savers Jonn Lu said the stage was set for legal action: "The Singapore public are already educated on this issue and ready to support policymakers in applying legal controls on the consumption of shark fin, progressing towards a ban on the trade of shark fin here."

Within the region, Malaysia, China and Hong Kong have already imposed banqueting bans preventing shark fin being served at official functions, while Brunei was the first country in 2013 to ban the catch and landing of all shark species in its national waters as well as banning the domestic and international trade in shark fin, WWF said in the release.

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3 of 4 Singaporeans support laws to reduce shark fin consumption: WWF survey

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In a survey by the World Wide Fund for Nature, more than half of the respondents said they ate less shark fin in the past 12 months, and most thought a shark fin soup alternative would be acceptable at banquets.

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Stop shark finning. Find out how you can help to stop shark finning.