PETA has urged Hong Kong’s Ocean Park to remove fish and shellfish from its restaurants – a move that the animal rights NGO said could align the marine-themed amusement park with its conservation values.
Citing animal welfare and potential health risks behind fish meals in a Monday letter, Senior Vice President of animal rights NGO People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Jason Baker, invited park CEO Paulo Pong to speak directly about how Ocean Park menus “could be aligned with its conservation values.”
He urged Pong to reconsider serving fish at Ocean Park’s restaurants, which offer what the park calls “sustainable sourced seafood.”
Sustainable fishing?
“I’m writing to respectfully urge you to reconsider offering fish and shellfish-based dishes in Hong Kong Ocean Park’s restaurants. Serving fish at an aquarium is like serving poodle burgers at a dog show – it sends the wrong message,” Baker wrote in a letter obtained exclusively by HKFP.
“Fish are intelligent, empathetic, and fascinating individuals who deserve kindness and consideration,” the letter read. “Killing and eating them undermines appreciation for marine life.”
It also cited injuries sustained by both commercially caught and farmed fish, as well as research finding contamination with microplastics and other toxins.
Baker also said he hoped the park would take a “bold and compassionate step” by removing fish and shellfish from its restaurants.
Ocean Park’s conservation advocacy campaign, Mission R, advocates eating local sustainable seafood. Three restaurants – Ginger Grill, Neptune’s Restaurant, and Tuxedos Restaurant – are listed as “Eat Local” restaurants in the park.
All restaurants in the park use “only sustainably sourced seafood,” the park says. “Choosing local or nearby sourced ingredients not only supports local agriculture and fisheries but also reduces carbon emissions and improves the environment.”
PETA calls sustainable fishing a “myth,” and that “current populations of fish are too low for any of these methods to make a difference.”
HKFP has reached out to Ocean Park for comment.
The cash-strapped Ocean Park faces continued criticism over its animal rights record from PETA, which in August urged the park to end their “abusive” dolphin shows.
