(Photo : Chinese Medicine Shark fin)

In a move that was highly commended by conservation groups across the world, the government of Hong Kong mentioned during the official release that they wish to encourage other branches of the government to follow their steps.

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Data from the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) indicates that due to popular demand for shark products such as shark fins, several species of sharks have been experiencing a steady decrease in population, reaching up to 70 percent.

Hong Kong is also on top of the list for consumers for shark fins.

In recent years, the imports have already declined and this is because of stricter rules being implemented during official gatherings that are usually by prolific personalities from mainland China.

Also, the Pacific blue fin tuna has experienced the same drop in population by up to 96 percent compared to their population in the 50's.

During the press release, the Hong Kong government mentioned that the concerns have provoked both international and local concerns because of how the sharks are harvested. Ecologically speaking, it is both unsustainable and unfriendly, and has caused a lot of concerns from conservation groups.

Several conservation groups have lauded the move. Alex Hafford, an executive director from MyOcean was praising the Hong Kong government for finally taking the correct actions. After nearly ten years of writing petitions, protests, and campaign, their calls have finally been heeded.

Hafford also added that we wished for the citizens of Hong Kong to do the same, and finally put a stop to the tradition of harvesting sharks.

In 2012 alone, more than tens of thousands of shark fins were found in a factory in Hong Kong. The fins were placed on the rooftop to evade public view. In the same manner, anti-shark fin media campaigns have discouraged five star hotels in Chinese territories in including shark fins in their menu. Their flagship carrier, Cathay Pacific, has done the same thing.