Lush Cosmetics will feature a week-long campaign at its twelve stores in Hong Kong and Maccau, which will include asking customers to sign postcards asking the Hong Kong government to ban shark fin soup from the municipality. On 14 June, Lush employee Alice Newstead will provide a photo opportunity by being suspended from scaffolding by hooks piercing her skin. On the same day a cast of international artists will gather to express their concern about the plight of sharks and to emphasise their support for the campaign.

Lush have created a limited edition Shark Fin Soap, an seaweed and sea salt soap with a cardboard fin attached. All proceeds from sales of the soap will be donated to Sharksavers.

LIVE “SHARK” TO BE HUNG ON HOOKS IN HONG KONG.

Lush Cosmetics Makes Waves By Launching Campaign To End Shark Finning.

Hong Kong – As the world’s shark populations teeter on the brink of extinction due to the global demand for shark fin soup and other shark products, Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics are launching a hard-hitting global campaign to protect these crucially important marine animals.

In a dramatic illustration of how sharks are caught on longlines to be killed for their fins, Lush employee and performance artist Alice Newstead will have her skin pierced with shark hooks and be suspended from scaffolding in a local arts and cultural center:

When: 12 noon sharp, 14th June, 2011
Where: JCCAC - Central Courtyard
30 Pak Tin Street,
Shek Kip Mei,
Hong Kong.

For the week-long campaign each of Lush’s 12 stores in Hong Kong and Macau will be pushing the pro-shark message by asking customers to sign postcards to the government of Hong Kong, demanding that shark fin soup and products be banned from the municipality.

Lush is supporting marine conservation organization Shark Savers who are urging the public to take personal action in the fight to save sharks by pledging not to eat shark fin soup. Lush has also created a new product especially for the campaign, Shark Fin Soap, which is a blue soap made with seaweed and sea salt with a cardboard shark fin sticking out the top. All proceeds from the limited edition soap will go to support the programs of Shark Savers so they can continue their important work raising awareness for shark conservation.

Why is a cosmetics company concerned about sharks? A staggering 73 million sharks are killed every year. While shark fin soup is the primary cause for the slaughter, sharks are also killed for their flesh, cartilage (which is used for ‘healthcare’ supplements) and for their oil, which can be used in cosmetics. The escalating cost of shark fins has led to a dramatic increase in the number of sharks being killed, which means that 90% of the world’s shark population has already been wiped out; so the time for action to save sharks is now.

The campaign focal point will be at a June 14th press launch where a cast of international artists will gather to express the shark conservation message through photography, paintings, etchings and the suspension of Alice Newstead by shark hooks. The art exhibition will run at the JCCAC from June 14th to 19th, and will feature works from renowned International underwater photographers connected with Shark Savers including: Eric Cheng, John “Chip” Scarlett, Douglas David Seifert, Jim Abernethy, Shawn Heinrichs, Danielle Heinrichs, Mary O’Malley, Robert Lupo Dion, Michael Aw, Alex Hofford and Paul Hilton. Original artwork from the Tokyo based organisation Pangeaseed and Ila France Porcher’s paintings will also be on display.

Sally Siu, Lush Campaigns Manager said:

“Lush are a campaigning company, and we have already tackled issues such as animal testing and environmental protection. But with 73 million sharks being killed every year and time fast running out for the remaining 10% of the global shark population, the campaign against shark finning and longlining is perhaps our biggest challenge yet.” Siu adds, “we want our staff and customers to help by avoiding all shark products and supporting Shark Savers vital work.”

Jonn Lu, Director of Shark Savers, Hong Kong said:

“Shark Savers’ campaign features the voice of Hong Kong citizens who have rejected shark fin soup. Increasingly, people in our community are turning away from shark fin soup because it provides no real benefit to people, but has been devastating to sharks and the oceans. No culture has the right to trade ocean health for the consumption of a tasteless shark fin. Let’s all pledge to not eat shark fin soup.”