Activists from WildAid Hong Kong and Hong Kong Shark Foundation protested outside the United Parcel Service (UPS) Customer Centre on Saturday, accusing the company of shipping endangered shark fin to Hong Kong. UPS denies the claims.
A petition signed by over 160,000 people was handed over at their Customer Service Centre in Lai Chi Kok.
According to WildAid, on December 2014 and February 2015, two air cargo shipments arrived in Hong Kong amounting to nearly a tonne of shark fin.
Pls RT: @UPS Airway bill that proves 100% they ship shark fin. What more proof is needed?! #Sustainability #Ethics pic.twitter.com/SXnWKArxMo
— WildAid Hong Kong (@WildAidHK) July 12, 2015
The shipments were exported from Costa Rica to Hong Kong in violation of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES), the group says.
Previously, commercial carriers such as American Airlines and other delivery companies, such as DHL, have pledged not to ship shark fin.
Alex Hofford, a campaigner for WildAid Hong Kong, said, “United Parcel Service’s professed commitment to sustainability, social responsibility and ethical business practices are a sham unless they stop shipping shark fin immediately.”
UPS has denied the allegations, saying that were being unfairly targeted with “unproven claims” and accusing WildAid of having a “publicity agenda.” The statement did not clarify whether shark fins from non-endangered species were being transported by the firm.
The Hong Kong event was part of a wider ‘UPS & Shark Fin – Global Day of Action’ at UPS sites around the world including: Costa Rica, the United States, Germany, Singapore, Mexico and Australia.
