Shark-fishing nations of the Coral Triangle - led in volume by Indonesia and Malaysia - lack even the most basic sustainable management practices, according to a report launched on Monday by NGOs WWF and TRAFFIC.
The report found that the countries of Indonesia, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Solomon Islands, Timor Leste, Viet Nam and Fiji were failing to comply with international and regional standards for fisheries management. The authors identified the lack of data collection and effective monitoring, as well as a flourishing illegal fishing industry, as some of the biggest barriers to sustainable management. They recommended conservation measures such as protected shark areas and the uptake of sustainable seafood certifications such as the Marine Stewardship Council label for shark products, which include shark fin soup.
Meanwhile, a growing movement is spreading across Asia to get consumers to say ‘no’ to shark fin soup, which is often served at formal events in Chinese cultures. The Chinese government recently said it would no longer serve the dish at official state functions. In Singapore, major grocery chains and several hotel and restaurant groups have banned the dish.
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