HKMagazine_974

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6 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013 Letters, photos, musings, rants and raves all welcome: letters@asia-city.com.hk Shark Fin Scandal Dear HK Mag, The shark fin issue, a persistent global embarrassment to Hong Kong, has plumbed new depths of depravity. I'm a Hong Kong-based conservation photographer, and I got a New Year's Day tip via Facebook that the drying of body parts from tens of thousands of ocean predators was occurring on the roof of an industrial building. It seems the filthy trade has lost its thin veneer of respectability, and is now moving off the sidewalks and out of the public eye. So after playing cat-andmouse games with security guards, running up fire staircases and climbing rusty ladders with low-level paranoia, a couple of other photographers and I bagged images [see Private Eye, below] that have shocked the world. To see at your feet 30,000 freshly severed and bloodied shark fins, from what we amateur marine biologists-cumphotographers estimate to be from around 4,000 sharks, was a sickening sight. And yet the Hong Kong government stands by and does absolutely nothing. We called the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) and they said there was nothing they could do because the building was private property. At the heart of this issue is the fact that the sale and possession of shark’s fin in Hong Kong is not illegal. Despite various bans being enacted in several US states, a fair number of Pacific Island nations and the EU, the Hong Kong government still stands too petrified to enact their own legislation. Why is this? Even China has passed its own laws to ban shark fin at official government functions. What is clear is that laws need to be enacted— and fast—to combat this ecological catastrophe of epic proportions unfolding on Hong Kong's shores. The prevailing scientific consensus is that most species PRIVATE EYE New Year's Day in Kennedy Town Photo by Alex Hofford of sharks will be wiped out very soon if current rates of over-exploitation continue. One way to look at the latest scandal is through the prism of the city’s current political landscape. The issue appears to be as much a generational thing as anything else. Let's face it: shark fin soup just isn't cool among the young. Just like the kids these days are anti-CY, pro-democracy and anti-shark fin, the pro-shark fin lobby is more likely to be lumped in with the more traditional, conservative, pro-Beijing older folk. And for Chinese people who decry that westerners love their foie gras as much as they love they love their shark fin, well, I couldn't agree more. I would like to stamp out that rotten tradition as well. It seems as if the animal world is up for grabs and being commoditized by whoever has the means. The final end game will be extinction, and no one seems to be noticing or even caring. It's my firm belief that this is a problem that extends beyond race, beyond culture. It's about what is right and what is wrong. It's an ethical issue, a philosophical issue, an issue that strikes right at the heart of humanity. We all have to share this planet with the animals that come with it, and those animals do not belong to any of us, whether we are Chinese, African or western. True, more than 50 percent of the global trade in shark fin passes through this town, but Hong Kong people should check their moral compass. If they could say enough is enough, and if the government could pass a ban on the sale and possession of shark fin, Asia's World City really could effect an enormous change on the world stage. Alex Hofford Hong Kong Shark Foundation Editor's note: This letter, plus a slideshow of the images captured by Hofford and his team can be found online at tiny.cc/hk-sharkfin. Find out more about the Hong Kong Shark Foundation at www.hksharkfoundation.org.
THE WEEK DO This Keep It Chic Expect a variety of events at this year’s Hong Kong Fashion Week, including—of course—runway shows aplenty. Don’t miss the four-day extravaganza from January 14 to 17 at the Convention Centre. Visit tiny.cc/hk-fashionweek for details. HOT January Blues The parties are over, the outof-town friends have all gone home and the bars are dead. It’s back to reality with a bump. Crowdsourcing Tree Maintenance The Hong Kong Tree Registry is encouraging the public to report trees in need of attention or removal. Has a ring of “Big Botanist” about it. HOT Opening Protesters’ Rights The Hong Kong Civil Liberties Union has created a handbook to help arrested protesters understand their rights. Essential reading for the politically inclined. Alan Leong A bad week for the Civic Party leader as he says on the radio that he would accept Article 23 legislation, so long as universal suffrage was granted by Beijing in exchange. Guess how well that went down with the pan-dems. NOT Amé SEE This Music to Your Ears The Hong Kong International Chamber Music Festival features an assortment of artists over six concerts throughout the week. Jan 16-23, see p.34. WATCH This Don’t Tango With Django Already generating buzz ahead of awards season, “Django Unchained” is a much-anticipated Tarantino western that will hit screens on Jan 17, see p.42. Friday, 1/11-Sunday, 1/13: Sale! Daydream Nation, 2/F, Hong Kong Arts Centre, 2 Harbour Rd., Wan Chai, 2817-6313. Tuesday, 1/15: Cocktails and tapas tasting. Goccia Ristorante Bar Terrace, Shop 2, 73 Wyndham St., Central, 2167-8181. Invite only. The buzz: Homegrown brand Amé has just opened its first store in Causeway Bay. The brand paints itself as an exclusive “shoe club”—shoppers can sign up to become members on its website. Monthly shoe offers—selected by various local celebrities, including models Rosemary Vandenbroucke and Jocelyn Luko— are then sent to members by email. Catering to busy Hongkongers, Amé shoes can be ordered online and are delivered to your doorstep for free. They also come with a 30-day refund policy. The goods: Amé sources its shoes from luxury brand manufacturers, and at $550 per pair (for members) it’s hard not to fall in love with their sexy boots, Wednesday, 1/16: Zanzo restaurant grand opening. 4:30-7pm, 15-16 School St., Tai Hang. Invite only. Friday, 1/18: SCAD Fashion 2013 Fashion Frame Up Cocktail. 6pm, Kee Club, 31 Wellington St., Central. Invite only. flats and heels. We’re especially entranced by the gorgeous knee-high Cindy boots. The décor: Conveniently located across from Lee Theatre Plaza, Amé’s showroom offers the “try before you buy” option for shoppers who are still a little iffy when it comes to online shopping. With its classy two-toned interior, the store adds yet another elegant presence to Causeway Bay’s bustling landscape. Shezam Wong G/F, 9 Sharp St. East, Causeway Bay, 2915-9188, www.shopame.com. HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11, 2013 7
Page 1: HK MAGAZINE NO. 974 FRIDAY, JANUARY
Page 8: UPFRONT Last Week In Reality Sat 29
Page 11 and 12: The Imaginer: Kalun The 27-year-old
Page 13 and 14: Johanna Ho A Central St Martins alu
Page 15 and 16: Cool Accessories 1 2 1. The Belkin
Page 18: GET MORE OUT OF HK | SHOPPING + TRA
Page 22 and 23: TRAVEL The People’s Piste Forget
Page 24: ESCAPE ROUTES with Hana R. Alberts
Page 28 and 29: DINING 28 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUA
Page 30: BLUE BUTCHER HK MAG AD JAN issue .p
Page 34 and 35: ARTS Theater Stage Classical Shortc
Page 36 and 37: 36 HK MAGAZINE FRIDAY, JANUARY 11,
Page 38: NIGHTLIFE Edited by Andrea Lo alo@a
Page 41 and 42: In Hong Kong, brunch is THE great w
Page 43 and 44: HK PICKS Pieta (South Korea) Loan s
Page 45 and 46: The Guillotines (3D) (Hong Kong/Chi
Page 49 and 50: PROPERTY 49 BODY, MIND & SPIRIT 53
Page 51 and 52: New Deluxe Deco Studio with Lift av
Page 53 and 54: COUNSELING NEED SOMEONE TO TALK TO?
Page 56 and 57:
EDUCATION New Year Promotion Mandar
Page 59 and 60:
Warm Feeling House Relax & Health 1
Page 61 and 62:
ENTERTAINMENT TYSONHK.COM STRIPPER
Page 63 and 64:
DESIGN We are looking for the follo
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