SINGAPORE – Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group today announced that the company has joined the fight in reversing the rapid decline in the shark population and signaling its commitment towards sustainable seafood sourcing. Reaffirming its commitment to operate as a responsible business, the company will stop serving shark fin at its leased and managed hotels and Food & Beverage establishments acrossAsia Pacific beginning September 1, 2014. This initiative marks the 11th anniversary of Carlson Rezidor’s Responsible Business Month, where its hotels are encouraged to take action by championing activities that benefit the local community and the environment.
An estimated 100 million sharks are killed each year to feed consumer demands, and they are particularly vulnerable because of their relatively low reproduction rates. In 2010, over 180 species of sharks were considered threatened, being listed on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)Red List.
“The hotel industry has a responsibility to conserve the environment and play an active role in its sustainable future. By making this stance, Carlson Rezidor hopes to encourage others to join this ban, influence consumer behavior and more importantly, to contribute to the preservation of marine biodiversity for the benefit of future generations. This ban on shark fin at our leased and managed hotels and Food & Beverage outlets and moving towards sustainable seafood is our commitment to operating as a responsible business,” saidThorsten Kirschke, president, Asia Pacific, Carlson Rezidor Hotel Group.