Proposed shark hunting ban OK with hotels

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KOTA KINABALU: Shark fin dish is only popular during special functions, especially weddings.

On other occasions hardly anyone ever asks for shark fin soup, said Sabah Hotels Association (SHA) president Christopher Chan.

He told the Borneo Post yesterday that all SHA members will not stand to lose if the Sabah Government goes ahead with its proposal to ban shark hunting, or include sharks in the protected wildlife species list.

Chan said the association is even prepared for a ban on shark fin dish in Sabah.

However, if there is such a move, the Government would need to give time for restaurant operators to clear their existing stocks.

Chan disagreed with the view that restaurants that serve sharp fin dish will be affected if the Government ban shark hunting in Sabah waters.

“Let’s be rational about it. Just because there is no shark fin dish doesn’t mean there will be no business,” he said.

“All the eatery owners need to do is to ask their chefs to be more creative. Culinary, after all, is an art,” he said.

Citing the famous Italian pizza as an example, Chan said the public is always receptive to new dishes.

“We didn’t have pizza before, but now, it is accepted by everyone,” he said.

Chan said the move to protect sharks is similar to the Government’s move to protect turtles many years ago.

“I come from Sandakan and prior to the ban, turtle eggs were sold at the market. Even I used to have turtle eggs. Now, you can’t find them anymore, but it is not really a big deal,” he said.

Meanwhile, hotels in Tawau also agreed with the proposal to ban shark hunting as most of them have taken shark fin dish off their menu.

Belmont Marco Polo Hotel

“I agree, some hotels, they have taken it off the menu, not only items like shark fin but also turtle soup and duck bile,” he said yesterday when asked to comment on the Government’s plan.

Shaik said it is a good idea as delicacies are in the mind of the person and there are some equally good delicacies that could be promoted.

He said at one time even bear’s paw and rhino’s horn were delicacies, but not anymore, and the same should be for shark’s fin.

He said it will not affect the hotel as they do not have shark fin on their menu and do not promote it.

“I do not think it will affect us, as far as western and other cuisine it will not affect. As for Chinese restaurants it might affect them,” he said if the ban is to take effect.

He said hotels can promote something else and it needs a joint effort from everybody, and chefs need to be creative.

Emas Hotel senior manager Raymond Tan also said they do not have a shark fin dish on their menu and whatever decision made on the proposal will not affect the hotel.

“We do not have shark fin on our menu, if it is banned, it will not affect us,” he said, adding their chairman will prefer bird’s nest in place of shark fin.

“My personal view, I do not think we should have shark fin and it can be done away with,” he said.

Raymond said the hotel has other soups such as Tom Yam, Szechuan Soup and the hotel special cocoa with egg, which is a soup like cocoa drink stirred with egg.

“We will not recommend shark fin as we are promoting cocoa cuisines to customers and we are promoting them,” he said.

The hotel already has cocoa-based menu such as cocoa fried rice, cocoa prawn and many other cocoa-based dishes.

Meanwhile, Tiara Labuan Hotel resident manager John Chin said it is a good move to list sharks as protected.

“Of course we also do sell shark fins upon requests when our clients who want to organise events here.

“However, not everybody wants to order shark fins as they are very expensive,” he said.

“However, it will be a challenge for the government to do so since the demand is still there, especially during weddings,” he said.

Accountant Alice Tan said shark fin is a priority by some Chinese families while hosting big days such as weddings.

“Some Chinese families want to offer shark fin as their best food since it is an expensive delicacy,” she said.

Alice, who is working at the Labuan Fisheries Department, said to get shark fin in any restaurant here is difficult and clients have to order it from Kota Kinabalu.

“I do not agree with the government’s intention to ban shark fin from restaurants,” she said, adding that shark fin is a highly regarded seafood which is served during big days.