China COSCO Shipping pledges not to carry shark fins

The newly merged shipping conglomerate formed from the former companies COSCO and China Shipping has agreed to stop carrying shark fins on their ships, which are used as an ingredient in a popular soup served at banquets in China.    China COSCO Shipping has agreed to stop carrying shark fins on their ships, according to the conservation group WildAid.
   Shark fins are used as an ingredient in a popular soup served at banquets in China.
   In a letter to Alex Hofford, a wildlife campaigner for WildAid Hong Kong, Wan Min, director and president of China COSCO Shipping Corp., said COSCO will “make sure that no shark-fin-related products are carried by our vessels through stricter monitoring and regulation. We also pledge to implement the ‘No Shark Fin’ carriage polices as other global container lines. COSCO SHIPPING will continue our commitment to protecting wild animals, and contribute to the cause of global environmental protection.”
   WildAid said COSCO Shipping’s commitment follows concerns it and other wildlife conservation groups raised after the South China Morning Post reported that Hong Kong Customs officials seized 880 kg of fins from endangered hammerhead sharks that were found inside a COSCO container onboard a COSCO vessel earlier this month.
   Overall, 17 container shipping lines and 34 airlines have pledged to not carry shark fins.
   Looking ahead, WildAid said it is conducting a campaign aimed at getting a similar commitment from FedEx.