RWS avoids landing in hot 'shark fin' soup

Singapore - Resorts World at Sentosa (RWS), in a move which will boost the company's 'green' profile, announced, today, it will not serve shark fin soup in restaurants throughout the Resort.

The initiative should see RWS, which is expected to open in 2010, avoid the scenes of protests during the lead-up to Walt Disney's Hong Kong opening in 2005 which drew sharp criticism from activists when it was announced the theme park would serve shark fin soup at wedding banquets and special events.

"Animal Concerns Research and Education Society (ACRES) applaud RWS for leaving shark fin soup off their menu and we urge the public to support this progressive move. We certainly hope that other companies and restaurants follow RWS's example which will undoubtedly make a difference for the world's remaining sharks," Louis Ng, executive director for ACRES, said.

The news is part of a larger marine conservation effort undertaken by RWS which will include the company launching a fund to sponsor research, education and conservation efforts related to marine life. The RWS Marine Life Fund will dispatch up to S$100,000 each year in 2008 and 2009; and up to S$1 million each year from 2010.