The recent shark fin soup protest, staged at the Las Vegas Hilton during the DEMA trade show has been a success. The hotel management has agreed to withdraw shark fin products from it’s restaurant menu. Many thanks to all Wetpixel members who responded to the forum posts. Sharksavers most recent newsletter carries some interesting observations as to why it was to prove successful. This form of protest can be effective, but their points make a lot of sense for those planning a similar event.

From Sharksavers blog:

So, what are the elements that may have made this action effective? Here are some thoughts:

• We were representative of the actual customers: guests of the hotel and convention goers. We represented real lost business–not a contrivance. If we were perceived as non-customers, activists trying to enforce our viewpoint on others, or one culture making demands on another culture, we may have provoked a different reaction.

• The numbers of walk outs grew from one day to the next, demonstrating that there were a lot of people who really cared about the issue. And, that the problem could get worse, over time.

• We were respectful and polite.

• We explained to the management the reasons why we could no longer patronize their restaurant.

• We followed up with letters that further explained our concerns.