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Workers and companies engaged in the controversial trading of shark fins plan to rally at the offices of Cathy Pacific Airlines on Thursday, to protest against the airline's new policy of refusing to transport most shark fin products.

The Marine Products Association and Sharks Fin Trade Merchants Association said on Wednesday that they strongly opposed the decision by the airline to prohibit cargo shipments of unsustainably sourced shark and shark products.

The rally is to be held at One Pacific Place, where Cathay Pacific has its head office. The two associations said Cathay Pacific showed no sincerity in its communications with the two groups nor willingness to consult with representatives from the industry. The two groups called the unilateral action by the airline, against the law of free trade.

Chairwoman of the Marine Products Association Choy Mei-kuen said the ban could damage the "reputation" of the shark fin industry, and cause a chain reaction causing greater loss to the industry, but she could not estimate the extent of the loss.

The spokesman from the Marine Products Association said, "Cathay Pacific announced the shark fin and shark products as belonging to unsustainable sources, which is based on a report from the Shark Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)." He expressed doubt about the validity of the report, saying "the IUCN is only a consulting organization and the members of the specialist group are not marine fisheries experts, and this report lacks any basis in law, and would mislead the public".

Besides, he said Cathay Pacific is "being selective"by ceasing to carry unsustainably sourced products listed by the IUCN. The list includes more than 20,000 species, including birds, mammals, and amphibians. He called the airline's decision, "unfair".

Cathay Pacific decided to stop carrying shark fin and other shark products earlier this month. The change in the airline's regulation will take effect within three months of the initial announcement. The ban also applies to Cathay-owned Dragonair. Both associations said they are shocked and deeply disappointed.

Choy added most shark fins are imported by ships, and only a small part by air. She had no statistics on the tonnage of shark fins imported the Cathay Pacific.

In a letter Cathay Pacific replied to the two associations on Sept 14, saying "the decision which Cathay Pacific announced, to restrict air cargo shipments of unsustainably sourced shark and shark products was taken in line with our sustainable development policy and in consideration only of the sustainability of the shark species".

The reply also pointed out that "the majority of shark fishing is incompatible with our position in sustainable development." The letter added, Cathay Pacific will "continue to carry shark and shark products certificated as being sourced from sustainable fisheries".

Hong Kong has imported about 10,000 tonnes of shark fins annually for the past decade, according to the environmental group WWF. Cathay is estimated to carry up to half of all shark fins imported by air.

fanfeifei@chinadailyhk.com

(HK Edition 09/20/2012 page1)