Response From VPost / Singpost With Regard To Their Shark Fin Promotion

From: "vpostsg (vPOST)" vpostsg@vpost.com.sg

Date: 11 Jan 2012 10:19

Subject: RE: For your immediate attention – Singpost

To: "Project Fin"

Dear Jennifer Lee,

We have noted on your feedback and have forwarded to our Management.

We wish to inform you that we are unable to remove shark's fin from the package as it is being sold in a bundle gift set.� The shark's fin is not being sold as an individual packaging and thus, removing the shark's fin will affect the gift set.

The products will only be sold during Chinese New Year period.

Nevertheless, we have taken into your consideration on the shark's fin issue in near future.

Yours Sincerely,

Niza

Customer Service Officer

Singapore Post Limited (Reg No. 199201623M)

10 Eunos Road 8 | Singapore Post Centre | Singapore 408600

________________________________

From: Project Fin [mailto:projectfin.sg@gmail.com]

Sent: Wed 04-Jan-12 11:01 AM

To: vpostsg (vPOST) vpostsg@vpost.com.sg

Subject: For your immediate attention – Singpost

Dear Singpost

We noticed that there are posters promoting the sale of New Moon shark's fin at your Singpost branch.

The decision to promote such a controversial dish does not value add to your corporate image. In fact, it reflects your support towards unsustainable fishing, massive wastage and animal cruelty.

As shark conservation gains greater awareness on a global level, more people are making a stand to protect the species. In view of the upcoming Chinese New Year, Singpost can definitely offer other more sustainable options to consumers.

In Aug 2010, Citibank HK and Singapore has also ran a similar shark's fin promotion, sparking off a global campaign against Citibank. Citibank's HQ immediately and respectfully, terminated the shark fin promotion. It has since became Citibank's policy not to promote unsustainable dishes moving forward.

We respectfully request Singpost to withdraw all promotions promoting shark's fin, and have it replaced by another sustainable dish.

Thank you and we look forward to your prompt reply.

Jennifer Lee

Founder

Project: FIN (Singapore)

Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/projectfin.sg

Facebook Group: www.facebook.com/groups/271905012232/

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

OUR HUNT FOR SHARKS IS ECOLOGICALLY UNSUSTAINABLE

Shark's fin soup has only been commercially popularised in the last 50 years. During this short frame, consumption of sharks has already caused steep declines of shark population, with some species known to have fallen over 80%.

Consumption of shark's fin is the leading factor to the steep decline of shark population. Unlike other fishes that spawn in thousands every year, sharks typically produce a average 5-20 pups each year. They take many years to reach sexual maturity, with up to 15 years for some species, and undergo long gestation periods of up to a year. This made them particularly susceptible to over-fishing.

Although 1/3 of the world's 1044 shark species have been listed as threatened with extinction, trade restrictions are only in place for 3 species of sharks. At present, we are free to trade fins of many other endangered sharks, such as the Great Hammerhead, without any form of trade restriction.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

THE NUMBERS & THE CRUELTY BEHIND

Up to 73 millions are killed every year; many of which are killed only for their fins. This figure excludes illegal fishing. Live finning (the removal of fins when the shark is still alive) has been banned in many countries. However, this practice is still very much in existence both in ungoverned waters, and in places where laws do not protect sharks against finning. Their limbless bodies are then dumped back into the oceans to save space on ships for more expensive fins (rather than cheap shark meat).

The finless sharks could sit on the seabed, falling prey to other fishes, up to days before they finally die. Imagine being left to die slowly, after having all your limbs cut!

Accordingly to the AVA, Singapore does not run any shark fisheries – our fins are imported. Live finning is rampantly happening in our neighboring countries: Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China.

Some of our shark's fins may come from the shark meat industry, but not all. And bear in mind, we do not know the origins nor species of the fins on our dining tables.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

WASTAGES & BEYOND

Shark's fins weigh only about 5% of a shark's entire body. The killing of sharks for only their fins, is similar to the killing of elephants for their tusks, rhinos for their horns. If we do not support the killing of animals for mere body parts, we should not support the consumption of fins.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

ITS QUESTIONABLE TASTE

Shark's fins are 100% tasteless. What we are actually enjoying, is the taste of chicken / pork stock, alongside other ingredients that gives flavor to the dish. The EXACT same dish can be made without the fins.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

Despite the size of our country, Singapore is the world's 2nd largest shark fin trading nation. This means we have control over the situation, we have the ability of influencing and reducing the demand for shark fin.