Chief Investigator:

Dr CHEANG, Chi Chiu

Project Year:

2019-2020

Description:

Attributing to the tradition of Chinese such as the luxury seafood consumption, the growth of Chinese economy would potentially possess threat to various wild animals. The threat to shark is one of the most significant global examples of this kind, since the increased consumption of Shark Fin Soup in Chinese culture as a symbol of wealth and vitality has led to the over-exploitation of sharks. Hong Kong and later China have been recognized as the largest shark fin importer globally. The proposed study aims at addressing a question whether the current formal education is effective in promoting shark conservation in the primary schools in the Chinese communities. In addition to a comprehensive curriculum review in primary subjects with respect to the shark and wildlife conservation, a questionnaire survey to reveal the conceptual understanding of the ecological role of sharks, the perception of the primary school students on shark and their shark-consumption habit will be conducted. Other potential correlations among the preference for shark fin consumption, students’ knowledge, perceptions on shark, academic performance and source of ecological knowledge will be assessed so as to explore the major factors attributing to the shark fin consumption. Up to 1000 questionnaires will be distributed to at least 10 schools spanning in at least three cities in the eastern coast of mainland China, where are the much wealthier region resembling the higher potential in luxury seafood consumption. By incorporating the review of the subjects’ curriculum and the results of survey on the conceptual understanding and perception of primary students’ on sharks, the findings of the proposed study would provide insights on the role of formal education on the shark conservation in China, and identify any loopholes in the current curriculum in conserving sharks.

Co-Investigator(s)

CHEN, Yung Hui * Dr CHEUNG, Ting On Lewis 張定安 TSOI KWOK HO 蔡國豪 #