I was disturbed to learn that the new Hong Kong Disneyland is planning to serve shark fin soup to attract businesses and newlyweds to host their banquets at your park. This isn't just ecologically unsound -- it's cruel and foolish.

It's common knowledge that shark populations worldwide are drastically declining due to the shark fin trade. As a result of the demand for their fins, sixty-five shark species are globally threatened (Critically Endangered, Endangered, and Vulnerable) and an additional twenty-seven subpopulations are threatened at the regional level. Incidentally, Hong Kong is the world's largest offender/trader in shark fins.

Shark finning (the practice in which the fins are cut from the animals whose mutilated bodies are dropped back into the sea to die slowly) is wasteful and *cruel*. In June 2005, you stated you would use an "approved" fishing company that would use the entire shark, not just the fins, and that the fishing company would "guarantee" no threatened sharks were captured. However, the simple truth is that long-lines and fishing nets do not discriminate. The other simple truth is that sharks are slow growing, late maturing animals that do not reproduce often, which means they are currently being slaughtered faster then they can sustain their populations - and now Disney has decided to join in because its very profitable.

This issue affects shark populations globally, not just sharks found in the waters near Hong Kong. In the last 15 years alone, shark populations in the North West Atlantic have declined between 60-90 percent depending on the species. Sharks play an ecologically important role in their marine ecosystem, so their declines will likely have far reaching ecological affects. Sharks have been on the planet for some 400 million years and in only the last couple decades are now severely threatened -- and for what? Soup! It is foolish and shameful that Disney is contributing to this travesty.

I am aware that Disney claims to be environmentally conscious and the Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund channels resources towards 'biological hotspots' - areas rich in plant and animal life at risk of imminent destruction." Is it possible that Disney is totally unaware that shark populations worldwide are "at risk of imminent destruction" largely due to shark fin soup -- a dish on Disney's menu?

Before Hong Kong Disneyland opens in September 2005, I strongly urge you to reconsider this decision and remove shark fin soup from the menu to ensure you remain true to your stated corporate values and common sense.

Thank you for re-thinking this important decision.

Sincerely,