Subscribe
MSC Reiterates No Shark Fin Policy
Swiss-based shipping line MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company is
taking the opportunity to clarify and raise awareness of its
zero-tolerance position on shark fin carriage, following a
reported shark fin discovery earlier this year, involving a
booking by another container carrier.
"MSC is proud to be implementing since several years a complete
global ban on consignments of any type of shark fin and of
endangered shark," said the global container shipping and a
company in a press release.
Sharks are an important part of marine ecosystems around the
world and MSC supports regulations and standards imposed by
competent authorities to preserve populations of these animals.
MSC totally rejects the practice known as "shark finning", which
involves removing and retaining the fins of a shark before
returning it to the sea, it said.
Those involved in this abhorrent practice do from time to time
try to use container carriers to deliver shark fins to market,
said the press release. MSC therefore scrutinizes customer
bookings using special key words, customer names and customs
codes to try to detect possible attempts to circumvent its ban.
"We believe it is important that carriers work together to limit
the abuse of the shipping and logistics sectors by shark fin
traders and, where necessary, enhance vessel-sharing agreements
to reflect relevant policies and procedures," it said.
MSC is committed to operating a responsible, sustainable business
and, together with other global carriers, is a supporter of
numerous initiatives driven by environmental associations for the
protection of marine wildlife across the world.
In line with the Buckingham Palace Declaration, an initiative of
United for Wildlife, MSC encourages a zero-tolerance policy on
illegal wildlife trade. The company also continuously improves
systems of detection and information-sharing on suspicious
activities related to a variety of wildlife and supports customs
and other enforcement agencies.
MSC also implements its own ethical initiatives to support
wildlife protection, for example, banning the carriage of animal
hunting trophies.
Jul 11, 2019
