Alibaba.com To Discontinue Online Shark Parts Trading Web Site

After two years of discussions, negotiations, environmental organization pressure and media campaigns - Alibab.com has finally agreed to end the practice of online shark parts trading via their internet platform.

Congratulations are in order for Wolfgang Leander, Ocean Realm Society Director of Shark Preservation, for first bringing the online trading issue to the public during the fall of 2006, prompting the Ocean Realm Society to launch the "Fear Man' anti-Alibab.com public awareness campaign.

Additional congratulations go to Brian Darvell in Hong Kong, for his tireless pursuit of Alibaba which have now resulted in Alibaba's decision to discontinue online shark trading.

"I have been assured by the company that the intention is that all Alibaba group web sites will be shark fin-free on January 1st, 2009. Essentially, the decision that was made for Taobao applies to the whole of the company," Darvell recently announced."

Of course, kudos to the dozens of other organizations and media that joined the campaign and the "Respect & Protect Sharks" alliance as well and the continued efforts of everyone on the "The Shark Group."

This is a fitting and timely announcement as we approach the YEAR OF THE SHARK.

Lastly, congratulations to the executive management of Alibaba.com for their understanding of the dire end results of shark parts trading and for their courage to make the decision to cease online trading via the Alibaba.com platform.

Richard H. Stewart - Executive Director

Establised in 2001 by Richard H. Stewart IV - ocean explorer, photojournalist and founding publisher of Sport Diver magazine and currently Editor-in-Chief of the Ocean Realm Journal - the Ocean Realm Society was created to bring together like-minded people in search of unique experineces that combined ocean preservation with ocean adventures in nature.

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