Singapore is still a top trader of the controversial delicacy, despite more people and hotels here may be saying no to eating or serving shark’s fin soup. In fact, the city state emerged as the third-biggest importer and exporter of shark fins out of the 68 countries and territories studied.
The report, released yesterday by global wildlife trade-monitoring network TRAFFIC International and nature group World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), looked at figures from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations between 2005 and 2013.
WWF-Singapore chief executive Elaine Tan said: “The fact that Singapore is a significant trader means the solution to the global shark crisis lies on our shores.”
Both TRAFFIC International and WWF are now calling on the local authorities to employ more robust monitoring of trade volumes and protect the species, saying Singapore’s role cannot be overlooked.
Trading hubs like Singapore are as critical as source and demand countries in finding a global solution to addressing illegal wildlife trade, said WWF- Singapore.
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Source: The Straits Times, 26 May 2017