18 May 2013

Fiji's Air Pacific investigates claims it carries shark fins into Hong Kong

9:15 am on 18 May 2013

Fiji's national carrier, Air Pacific, says it is looking into reports alleging that it has been exposed as one of the world's major carriers of shark fins into Hong Kong.

The South China Morning Post says a coalition of environmental groups claims in a letter to the airline that a substantial amount of the shark fins imported into Hong Kong arrive on Air Pacific.

In a statement, Air Pacific says it has acknowledged the concerns raised and is looking into the situation.

Air Pacific states the article exaggerates the situation and is misleading.

Fiji Village online reports the national airline further states that to describe its A330 as a thinly veiled freighter is completely inaccurate.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature's Shark Specialist Group says shark fining is widespread, and the rapidly expanding and largely unregulated shark fin trade represents one of the most serious threats to shark populations worldwide.

Hong Kong is the world centre for shark fin trading with the fins used to make an expensive soup.