Shark's fin a matter of moral suasion

By Goh Chin Lian

SHARKS and shark's fin, as well as a quip on loan sharks, had two MPs sharing their views on the topic at a youth forum yesterday.

It all started when someone asked the MPs if they would refrain from serving the Chinese delicacy at their constituency dinners.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak, an MP for Sembawang GRC, did not think he would. He said that while he did not want any sharks to become extinct 'except loan sharks', he pointed out that not all shark populations were endangered.

He also encouraged animal welfare activists to raise public awareness about their cause.

Singapore abides by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, he noted.

'Maybe one day shark's fin will be on the convention if you all push hard,' he said at the forum on animal welfare held at Chong Pang Community Club in Yishun.

Chew Bakar

12 Feb 10, 17:01

Have "loan shark fins" this CNY instead.

mancha

14 Feb 10, 03:18

Must we wait till they are going to be extinct and then take actiion.

Shark's fin is useless as food.

It is the broth that is the food. The shark's fin just act as a solid for the liquid broth.

If you are not told, you can't tell the difference between genuine and synthetic shark's fin, when the same broth is used.

Chew Bakar

14 Feb 10, 03:36

Originally posted by mancha:

Must we wait till they are going to be extinct and then take actiion.

Shark's fin is useless as food.

It is the broth that is the food. The shark's fin just act as a solid for the liquid broth.

If you are not told, you can't tell the difference between genuine and synthetic shark's fin, when the same broth is used.

Many species will go extinct. The rate will accelerate as human growth outpace nature.