FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
2012-09-05
WORLDWIDE COALITION OF CONSERVATION GROUPS HAIL THE LEADERSHIP OF CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS
HONG KONG — Nearly 50 marine and shark conservation groups have united to applaud Cathay Pacific’s decision to ban the transportation of shark and shark-related products on all its flights. The groups now call upon all other airlines to step forward and follow Cathay Pacific’s leadership in helping preserve oceanic health.
“Cathay Pacific Cargo is one of the world’s largest cargo airlines,” said Alex Hofford, Director of MyOcean Ltd and co-author of ‘Man & Shark’, a campaign to educate Hong Kong and Asia’s populations about the severe damage created by the shark fin trade. “It is very heartening for everyone in the conservation community – and the greater population at large – that Hong Kong’s flagship carrier is so committed to sustainability. This recent step to preserve some of the world’s most endangered species makes [all the conservation groups] very proud of this forward thinking corporate citizen.”
On 4 September, Cathay Pacific stated that:
Today (4 September) the airline has taken the decision to stop shipments of unsustainably sourced sharks and shark-related products. This means that, effective immediately, CX will not enter into any new contracts in this regard, unless it can be demonstrated that such products are derived from sustainable sources and can be independently verified through initiatives such as the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).
The airline has decided to do this on the basis that there is very compelling scientific evidence to support that this is the right thing to do, given CX’s strong commitment to sustainability.
“This is a milestone in our efforts to end the trade of products like shark fin in Hong Kong,” said Ran Elfassy, Director of Shark Rescue, a Hong Kong-born marine conservation campaign. “The city is the leading trade hub for these endangered animal products, and airlines are significant players in the supply chain. When a leading airline makes the right decision to end the transport of shark fins into Hong Kong, this is significant. Cathay Pacific certainly needs to be applauded, supported and followed by the public and all other airlines.”
“Cathay Pacific show that it is possible to be a commercially viable, competitive airline whilst also staying true to its CSR commitments” adds Bertha Lo, Program Director for HK Shark Foundation, a HK based shark conservation charity. “It also demonstrates the power of global co-ordination between marine conservation groups working on this important issues.”
For and on behalf of:
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ADM Capital Foundation (Hong Kong)
- AfriOceans Conservation Alliance (South Africa)
- Animals Asia Foundation (Hong Kong)
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AquaMeridian (Hong Kong)
- Bite-Back Shark and Marine Conservation (United Kingdom)
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Bloom Association (Hong Kong)
- Blue Planet Society (United Kingdom)
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Blue Marine Foundation (United Kingdom)
- Charles Clover, of ‘End Of The Line’ documentary fame (United Kingdom)
- Chet Lam 林一峰, singer songwriter, (Hong Kong)
- Earth Island Institute, International Marine Mammal Project (united States)
- Greenpeace (Hong Kong)
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Green Sense 環保觸覺(Hong Kong)
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Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society (Hong Kong)
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Hong Kong Shark Foundation 香港護鯊會 (Hong Kong)
- Hong Kong Underwater Association 香港潛水總會(Hong Kong)
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Hong Kong Underwater Club 香港潛水會(Hong Kong)
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Humane Society International (United States of America)
- Lam 1 2 Charity Fund 林一二慈善基金(Hong Kong)
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Living Seas Hong Kong 勃勃海洋 (Hong Kong)
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Man & Shark 人鯊誌(Hong Kong)
- Mission Blue (United States of America)
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MyOcean (Hong Kong)
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‘Ocean Geographic’ magazine (Singapore)
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Ocean Recovery Alliance (Hong Kong)
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Oceanic Love (Hong Kong)
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PangeaSeed (Japan)
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Project: FIN (Singapore)
- Ric O’Barry’s Dolphin Project (United States of America)
- Rob Stewart, of ‘Sharkwater’ documentary fame (Canada)
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Sea First Foundation (Belgium & The Netherlands)
- Sea Shepherd (United States of America, Hong Kong)
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Shark Angels (United States)
- Shark Research Institute (United States of America)
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Shark Rescue (Hong Kong)
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Shark Savers (United States, Singapore, Hong Kong)
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Shark Truth (Canada)
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) 香港愛護動物協會(Hong Kong)
- The Global Shark Conservation Initiative (Belgium)
- United Conservationists (Canada)
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WildAid Hong Kong (Hong Kong)
Please click here to download the press release.