2011/3/1

© Brian J. Skerry / National Geographic Stock / WWF

Good news from Bluefin Savers

Great news for all bluefin tuna lovers—Masamura Sushi, a Japanese sushi chain restaurant in Hong Kong, has pledged not to serve bluefin tuna and will take the endangered species off its menu. A total of 26 restaurants have now pledged to join this conservation initiative.

Of the three bluefin tuna species, the southern and the western stock of Atlantic are currently listed as "Critically Endangered" on the IUCN Red List. In addition, stock data and other evidence suggest that the Pacific population is on the verge of being overfished. Overall, these populations have declined dramatically in the last few decades. Since the 1970s, the number of Atlantic bluefin tuna has declined by almost 90 percent, while southern bluefin stocks tuna have declined by about 85 percent.

In order to increase awareness of the ecological importance of bluefin tuna, as well as how individuals and the corporate and catering sectors can contribute to help save these precious species, WWF launched the "Bluefin Saver" Campaign in 2009. Not only have we continued to educate the public since then, but we have also invited hotels and restaurants to stop serving bluefin tuna.

We should seize this opportunity to pledge NOT to consume bluefin tuna, and to allow fish stocks to return to sustainable levels before its too late. Click here to become part of the Bluefin Saver initiative. If you are from the catering industry and want to know what you can do to to help conserve the tuna species, please click on this link.

Have a word with the dolphins

Nowadays, there are only 200 to 300 Chinese white dolphins inhabiting Hong Kong's western waters. Although they always seem so friendly and playful; they are actually under enormous pressure and facing grave threats. Despite their numbers appearing to be stable in recent years, WWF is deeply concerned that the cumulative impacts of habitat loss and other disturbances resulting from prior and upcoming urban and infrastructure developments (in particular the proposed Third Runway construction for the Hong Kong International Airport) will prove to be a serious threat. Many other existing or upcoming development projects involve dredging, dumping and reclamation, etc. which pose severe dangers to the habitat.

To convey the message calling for the protection of the Chinese white dolphin, WWF is launching a "Save the Dolphins" online photo-sharing platform, in which we ask the public to upload their pictures and leave their dolphin conservation message for sharing. Your action can also be shared on Facebook so that your friends will know your commitment to saving the Chinese white dolphins. Now you can join the mosaic, and take another step further to be our Pink Dolphin Saver!

Support Earth Hour in all directions!

WWF's annual lights out event Earth Hour will be held on 26 March at 8.30pm. There are many ways you can pledge your support for the campaign, and many interactive events you can join: 

Download a personalised e-cert:
If you want to learn about how your lifestyle is affecting orangutans in the Heart of Borneo, sea turtles in the Caribbean Sea, and polar bears in the Arctic, log on to the "Earth Hour" website, where you will know that the way you live your life has a direct impact on animals far away. You can also pledge to adopt sustainable actions to improve their livelihoods. A personalised e-certificate will be given as a token gesture for you. You can share it with your family and friends and encourage them to join your actions as well.

Download iPhone apps for free:
iPhone users can download the brand new Earth Hour iPhone app, and try to switch off the lights in the virtual world! Your support to Earth Hour will be shown on the Google Map as well.

Join Earth Hour 2011 photo competition:
Test your skills and have your work become the mosaic base photo! The winner will be invited to bring along three friends to WWF-Hong Kong Hoi Ha Marine Life Centre, Asia's first classroom on the sea, and join a glass-bottomed boat trip to get a close-up view of the local marine life. He/she might be interviewed by the press as well, to share their passion for photography and the planet. Grab you camera and start shooting now!

Updated "Low Carbon Living Appliances Guide" available

WWF-Hong Kong's "Low Carbon Living Appliances Guide" has a newly-expanded version, increasing examined product types from 12 to 14 to include multi-functional devices (a combination of fax, printer, photocopier and scanner) and desktop computers. The Guide shows us that more than 70 types of these multi-functional devices with similar functions can differ widely in terms of energy consumption, with a difference of up to 1,500 kWh per year (a 68% discrepancy and an electricity expenditure of HK$1,300). The difference in annual energy consumption reaches over 30% between two computers with similar functions. To make a smart, green choice and save money on electricity, check out the "Low Carbon Living Appliances Guide" at wwf.org.hk/saveenergy.

如閣下對本會有任何意見，歡迎電郵至 wwf@wwf.org.hk 或致電 2526-1011 查詢。
If you have any queries, please email to wwf@wwf.org.hk or call our hotline at 2526-1011.

如欲取消本會的電郵，請按此處
To unsubscribe any emails from WWF Hong Kong, please click here.