Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel is feeling the wrath of 
shark defenders worldwide.

In an effort to throw the protest off track, Disney leaked a report that they will not confirm or deny saying that they are considering serving only shark made with fins obtained by non-cruel methods.

In other words, they admit that they were previously unconcerned for the origin of the shark fins they intend to sell at wedding feasts at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel.

Hong Kong Disneyland spokesperson Esther Wong says that Disney takes the controversy seriously. However, she refused to comment on the report that Disney intends to be more discriminatory on the origin of the shark fins they purchase.

The problem is that there is no way of proving the origins of shark fins. On June 7th, a San Diego court fined the Hong Kong company Tai Loong Hong Marine Products Ltd $618,956.00 and confiscated 64,695 pounds of shark fins.

Bundled and piled shark fins - massive illegal cargo confiscated from the King Diamond II

The fins were destined for the Hong Kong market yet Chiu Ching Cheung, the Chairman of the Hong Kong Shark Fin Merchants Association, has sworn that all shark fins sold in Hong Kong are legal.

Yet the massive seizure from the vessel King Diamond II was just one interception of hundreds of vessels involved in the illegal shark trade.

"Shark fins are like ivory," said Captain Paul Watson, founder and president of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. "As long as there are legal products, they will serve as a cover for the marketing of illegal products."

"Disneyland has been an inspiration to children for years to be respectful of nature," said Captain Watson. "What the Disney Corporation is doing now is exposing their hypocrisy to the world. And for what? It's not like they really need the money from the sale of shark fin soup. I think Michael Eisner has loss touch with the spirit of Walt Disney and has become a soulless, apathetic corporate whore. One thing I know for sure is that Walt would never have served shark fin soup in a Disney restaurant."

Take Action!

- Ask Disney to take shark fin soup off the menu at the soon-to-be opened Disneyland Hong Kong Hotel:

- Contact the Tourism Commission of Hong Kong: 

Tel: +852-2810 3507
Fax: +852-2523 1973

E-mail: via the Commission's preset form

Send letter by mail to:

Tourism Commission
2nd Floor, East Wing
Central Government Offices
Lower Albert Road, Central
Hong Kong

- Educate others about this issue by wearing the new Sea Shepherd T-shirt:

"Stop Shark Finning T-shirt"