A passionate band of secondary school students will jump on the anti-shark fin bandwagon this week with a parade and awareness drive.
The students from Grades 8 to 12 are part of a 40-strong club at J.N. Burnett called ARC (Animal Rescue and Care), which campaigns every month on an animal welfare issue.
And on Friday, ARC members are organizing a Shark Awareness Day to zoom in on Richmonds controversial shark fin soup issue and focus their energy on the illegal and cruel practice of shark finning.
Many species of shark are endangered due to the demand for their fins; some of which are used for the Chinese cultural delicacy of shark fin soup served in several local restaurants.
The students have tackled the shark issue before, but headlines were made two weeks ago Richmond MP Alice Wong attracted a wave of condemnation after posing for Chinese media at the Jade Seafood restaurant while eating a bowl of the soup and the club felt it necessary to make more people aware of the global threat to the species.
Theyre going to do a parade and theyve got posters all over the school, said Margaret Galan, Burnett ESL teacher and sponsor for the club, which raises awareness for domestic and wild animals and fundraises as well.
Theyre going to be dressed as sharks and, as Burnett has one of the highest ESL populations in the district, theyll be putting out pamphlets in both English and Mandarin.
They have done a lot of research and found out what countries are involved and what shark groups are endangered.
Galan said the students have also been, without singling any business out, finding out what restaurants have on their menus.
They decided to focus on shark finning again, particularly because this is Richmond and lots of restaurants are still serving shark fin soup, she added.
Galan said the group didnt make its feelings known to Wong collectively, but had her contact details out there, and it was left up to the individual to protest about her actions.
The group, Galan said, raises about $3,000 every year for its chosen animal welfare cause.
Theyre a very passionate young group and they pretty much run things themselves.
