Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and also a sign of wealth in the Chinese culture, and for that reason it is normally served on very special occasions, such as a wedding. However, in the last few years there has been a great debate about banning shark fin soup because of how cruel it is to slaughter a shark just for its fins.
A non-profit organization named Shark Truth has been trying to protect sharks before they become extinct. Every since this organization has been founded in 2009, it has a yearly wedding contest called Happy Hearts Love Sharks (HHLS), that rewards couples for not serving shark fin soup at their wedding.
Last month Shark Truth released a press release informing couples about the prize for 2012 HHLS contest. I have created a social media press release on this topic.
2012 HHLS Prize Announced
Media Contact:
Core News Facts:
· The HHLS invites all Canadian couples of partial or full Chinese decent to vow that they would go shark fin free at their wedding banquet through an online and storytelling contests.
· Winners receive a six day cruise to the Galapagos Island from Flight Centre Business Travel and G Adventures.
· Applications are open on Valentine’s Day and voting begins on World’s Ocean’s Day June 8.
· For more information and details about contest eligibility visit HappyHeartsLoveSharks.org
· Winners of the contest will be announced during Shark Week this summer.
Quotes:
“The shark conservation movement is growing around the world and markets are shifting away from shark fin. Businesses like Shangri-La are listening to what their customers are saying: they want sustainable food options and shark fin is not a part of that,” –Claudia Li, Shark Truth Founder
“Flight Centre Business Travel is proud to support this worthy cause and we are excited to send one lucky couple to the Galapagos,”—Craig MacCarthy, Brand Leader from Flight Centre Business Travel.
“The Galapagos Islands tour is a deluxe and once-in-a-lifetime experience. We hope that this visit to one of the top diving and snorkelling destinations in the world, with a chance to encounter some of the most diverse and breathtaking marine wildlife, including hammerheads and the iconic whale shark, will encourage wedding couples to take shark fin off the menu,”—Aaron Sapra, National Sales Manager from G Adventures.
Original Press Release:
To learn more about this cause visit the Shark Truth website:
There's definitely more awareness on the cruelty of shark fin. It's great to see celebrity chef's such as Gordon Ramsay educating people on this. Here's a YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r65FgUYdBOc.
ReplyDeleteI wonder when Vancouver will have a ban on offering shark fin soup in restaurants, there's already a ban in Toronto. Here's a link to a news article on the ban: http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/story/2011/10/25/shark-fin-ban-vote.html.
Hey Christina,
DeleteThanks for the great links! :) I read on Shark Truth that Toronto has already banned Shark fin soup..and I agree with you I really hope that they take the same action in Vancouver.
It's unfortunate how much demand there still is for shark fin here in Vancouver. I was talking to the manager at a Chinese restaurant the other day, and he was telling us that it's still very popular for the big banquets, and people just don't seem to care about how the shark fin is derived. Hopefully the shark fin ban comes down on Vancouver soon.
ReplyDeleteReally well-written social media release - facts laid out nicely in point form and great visuals!
Hey Melissa,
DeleteIt is unforunate that shark fin soup is still such a popular dish, but it quite a cherished Chinese tradition, it has been around since 968 AD.
Hopefully, people will start becoming more aware of this issue. We can help by spreading the word!
Thanks for the comments :)
Thanks for an informative post on shark fin soup. It does seem as though there is more awareness now than before.
ReplyDeleteAlso good links and good information from the others who have commented.
As a wedding planner, how would you deal with this when planning a menu with a couple? Do you still see a lot of requests for it to be included on the menu? Do you think some of this is influence from the older generation in the family who would like to follow tradition?
Hey Madeline,
DeleteI have not actually planned any traditional Chinese weddings yet, so I have not seen the requests. However, I have been to many Chinese weddings, and the individuals with more traditional parents seem to serve this at the banquet but the ones that are less traditional do not. So I would say that older generation does have a lot of influence on what couples decide. It is really difficult to communicate with these older generations about the issues that plague us today.
So hopefully with new generations, this issue will hopefully be more of a concern and we will see a dramatic decline in the consumption of shark fin soup.
Thanks for your comments :)