Shark fin initiative

Beijing conservationists yesterday challenged coastal city Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, to become the first to ban shark fins, hoping the fishing village-turned metropolis will leverage their nationwide shark initiative.

"Shenzhen is one of the major cities where shark fin is consumed, but on the other hand, we have observed growing awareness among the public and in its government," said Wang Xue, program coordinator of the "China Zero Shark Fin" initiative, spearheaded by local environmental group Green Beagle. Wang submitted a petition to Shenzhen's mayor Xu Qin yesterday, to which 88 organizations, including many from Shenzhen, attached their endorsement.

Shark fin is eaten as a delicacy in many parts of China, including Hong Kong, just a river apart from Shenzhen.