About the card & anecdotes

Site Map: About the Couple - and how they got away without shark fin soup. Wedding Info - actually, sharks. Registry - of soup alternatives. Photos - download to print the card or order them at cost. Contact us - for more information.

The wedding banquet

To many Chinese, a wedding banquet is not complete without shark's fin soup and many couples feel under pressure from parents or in-laws to stick to the tradition of serving shark's fin.

According to Chinese tradition, shark's fin is considered one of the eight treasured foods from the sea - a precious food fit for an emperor, a symbol of wealth. Therefore, many traditionalists would be concerned that their guests would be insulted and they would be considered as “cheap” if the soup was left out.

Despite traditional views, many progressive couples (including of other religions) are choosing not to serve shark's fin soup. One reason is that as societies become more affluent, the increase in demand for shark fins is leading to unsustainable levels of fishing. This is threatening certain shark species and disturbing the marine ecological balance due to the shark’s valuable role as top predator.

In addition, the increase in demand and price of the fins encourages the terribly wasteful and cruel practice of shark fining; the shark’s fins are removed when they are caught and the bulky body of the shark tossed overboard, leaving the shark to die. This practice is contrary to the Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries and has been made illegal in some countries.

The reason behind these cards ...

Displaying the cards on wedding banquet tables that tactfully explain why shark's fin soup has been omitted from the menu is one of many things proposed by the group behind the "Fins - Best on Sharks" campaign.

The Marine Group of the Selangor Branch of the Malaysian Nature Society comprises volunteers who are interested in conserving Malaysia's marine ecology.

In its “Fins – Best on Sharks” campaign, the group hopes to educate people about the plight of the shark (and the demise of many species of shark), its importance as a key component of the marine ecosystem and to correct popular misconceptions about shark's fin soup.

This non-profit group is letting couples download the card templates to print it themselves, or they can call the group's representative to buy the pre-printed cards at cost.

The couples & their stories...

Thank you to all the couples who have supported the "Fins-Best on Sharks" campaign and who have shared with us your photos and anecdotes. Congrats on your wedding!

Michael & I-Li, 28.12.07

Yeen & Julian own a dive centre and run their business as environmentally sustainably as they can. When teaching divers they emphasise the need for divers to respect the marine environment and marine life - naturally they chose not to serve shark fin soup at their wedding. Yeen: "It’s an auspicious occasion and should not include dishes that contain something so brutally killed.”

Su-Ann & Si Siew's wedding was attended by around a thousand people, including royalty. Su-Ann faced a challenge to persuade her mother-in-law to support her decision not to serve shark's fin. Su-Ann convinced her that it's not so unusual to serve an expensive replacement dish like scallop and mushroom soup. Su- Ann has not eaten shark's fin for over 10 years, rather than actively voicing her opinions she prefers to discuss the shark's fin issue when the topic arises and over the years she has managed to convince some friends and family to refrain from eating shark's fin too.

Ren & Yein. Dr Leong supported his son Ren and daughter-in-law Yein’s choice not to serve shark's fin soup.

Dr Leong also had to convince the caterer who had said to him, "Without shark's fin, the dinner ‘jatuh’ standard!” (Without shark's fin, the standard of the dinner will fall!). After attempting to enlighten him, the caterer begrudgingly respected the family's decision. After all, the family was the ones paying for the dinner!

The caterer reluctantly admitted that in reality shark's fin soup is actually cheaper than some substitutes. This is because the shark's fin soup is in name only. Often inferior grade or even fake shark's fin is used! The caterer makes a killing supplying this fake or substandard stuff but guests don't know better.

As for the guests, they were not surprised by the family's decision as Dr Leong once served as Chairman of Science and Conservation for the Malaysian Nature Society and is well known and respected for his strong conservation ethic shared by Ren and Yein.

Dr Leong reflected their feelings poetically in his speech:

“We pray that your love will encompass more than one another, more than family, relatives, friends, patients. Let it encompass every living creature on this earth, great or small, mighty or insignificant, common or preferred. If we do not have shark’s fin soup today it is not because we cannot afford it or that we want to deny our guests. It is because in our hearts there is a place for one of God’s endangered creatures. Let your love also encompass all the non-living things of this earth, for their beauty and their sustenance of life on earth. Love the stars, the sun, the moon and sky, the seas, the wind, the waters, even the rocks and stones. For in doing so you will truly understand and become part of the universe, you will find your place.”

Shiauway and Adam are divers and avid marine lovers, who have come to appreciate the beauty and value of sharks all the more since diving. They realised that by not serving shark's fin soup at their wedding they were making a much bigger impact than they were able to make previously by just refusing to eat it personally. The couple was lucky, as their family, aware of their views, did not object to their decision. To explain their choice to their guests Shiauway and Adam decided to print their own personalised thank you card with a 'say no to shark's fin' message.

Shiauway: “You might face a bit of objection here and there, but if you know what you are doing is right, you will succeed in carrying it through."

Do you have a story and/or a photo to share with us? Please e-mail it to mnsmarinewebsite@yahoo.com with your names, and if you wish to, the date of your wedding.