In a win for environmentalists, Hong Kong’s largest restaurant group has vowed to stop serving shark fin.
Well, not straight away.
Maxim’s will stop selling shark fin in all restaurants starting from January 1, 2020, a statement by the company read.
Up until that point, shark fin dishes “will only be provided upon request and to fulfil advanced orders.”
In announcing the decision, the restaurant group, which has more than 50 Maxim’s-owned outlets that serve shark fin soup in Hong Kong, noted “market and customer preferences have evolved in Hong Kong.”
The restaurant group has been under intense pressure by local environmental activists to stop serving the expensive Chinese delicacy, demand for which is a major factor threatening the future of many shark species.
The push to end the “cruel and unsustainable” trade in Hong Kong has been led by WildAid, which has often held demonstrations outlet Maxim’s restaurants.
In a statement, the group commended the announcement, though noted the sluggish timeline.
“This is great news for the sharks,” said Alex Hofford, a wildlife campaigner with the NGO.
“Although we are concerned about the relatively slow timeline for phase out, we are pleased that a cut off date has been announced.”
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