Singapore has been branded as the world’s second largest shark fin trader by value, according to a new report by wildlife-trade monitor Traffic and conservation organization World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
Based on trade figures in 2012 and 2013, the import and export values of shark fin in the Little Red Dot were $65 million and $50.4 million respectively. Hong Kong took first place on the list (not a good list to rank highly in) with $57.2 million for export and $215.4 million for import trade, said Channel NewsAsia.
But both groups noted that an in-depth analysis on the trade here was hindered by insufficient detail from the Singapore Customs’ import and export data, and recommended that Singapore record shark data using detailed Harmonised System Codes developed by the World Customs Organisation for goods classification. This would show a greater distinction between dried and frozen shark products, in order to display accurate trade volumes and offer better insight into the species in trade.
According to TODAY, hotels and airlines have contributed to the movement against shark fin in recent years, with Singapore Airlines Cargo halting the provision of shark’s fin on its flights in 2014 and hotel chain Hilton ceasing to serve it at its properties. But a Channel NewsAsia report on a WWF survey last year showed that three out of four consumers in Singapore are of the opinion that the government’s efforts in protecting sharks aren’t enough — the same people said they would support legislation against shark fin consumption.
Traffic and WWF have began discussions with the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore to establish product commodity codes for all 30 species of sharks and rays that are under international trade restrictions according to the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. With this information, people and companies would be better equipped when they make decisions on what products they use.
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