Sentosa IR

[redskin]

Originally Posted by Traminer

Oops.. cancel that. If Genting wins the bid for the new IR in Sentosa, we get to dive with WHALE sharks in Singapore!!!
Story here

Q: How do they going to be able to fit the largest shark in the world in some dinky little tank and keep him happy with all the plankton the poor shark can eat?

Maybe they have make some studies like the one i saw when i were in Osaka Aquarium. They have this one big tank for the whale shark to swim freely.At dat tym, the whale shark i saw was about 8m in lenght and saw it swim freely although not the freedom its gets.I belive they will build a very large tank.
I even got the the glimpse of Mola Mola in captivity in Kamogawa Seaworld, 6 hours journey from Tokyo.
I believe they have take alot of consideration and consultation before proposing it.
Jus sharing some thought.

[il_mare77]

Originally Posted by thomssi

Ok, this is obviously not a good thing.

I'm not sure if there is a formal channel for public input into the selection but how about Fins get a petition for either - Genting lose the bid if this is included or they remove this idea?

Lobbying worked with HK Disneyland.

Go to this website, http://www.wildsingapore.com/news/20060910/061017-1.htm

Wildsingapore had put up a page on this issue with all the related news articles and also channels for feedback to the relevant parties.

[Zippsy]

Originally Posted by thomssi

Ok, this is obviously not a good thing.

I'm not sure if there is a formal channel for public input into the selection but how about Fins get a petition for either - Genting lose the bid if this is included or they remove this idea?

Lobbying worked with HK Disneyland.

except for the shark / whale shark dives/tanks, I'm not sure it's a bad thing. I'd rather lobby Genting to can the shark (idea). I bet, however, if they have already put it in their proposal it may be too late to take out.

[thomssi]

Originally Posted by Zippsy

except for the shark / whale shark dives/tanks, I'm not sure it's a bad thing. I'd rather lobby Genting to can the shark (idea). I bet, however, if they have already put it in their proposal it may be too late to take out.

I'm with you on that. The powers that be however seems very anti bad publicity, I think it may have a fair chance of working, especially for stuff aimed at an international audience. A savvy politican could turn it to their advantage - "we like your bid but want to set an example of ecologically aware citzens and hence would prefer you substitute blah, blah, blah" and make a big spin out of it (maybe I'm just too used to Tony Blair )

[Zippsy]

The honor of the Order of the Pink Snorkel will be bestowed up anyone who gets their "anti-shark / whaleshark tank / dive" letter published in the Straits Times. I'll buy your drinks throughout the the evening's festivities.

stforum@sph.com.sg
Just remember when you write to them to include your name, as on the I/C, your address and a telephone number. Keep the letter below 400 words. Short, direct, to the point, well reasoned letters get a better chance of being published. Say what you want but mine will be along the lines of:
1) I understand that Genting is including....
2) Their proposal sounds wonderful....
3) Except I am disturbed by the plans to include.....
4) because....
5) I hope that they or the evaluating commitee will....

[xcite]

Guys, isn't it a little naive to believe that a letter to the Dire Straits.. err.. Straits Times will make Genting change their proposal? The idea is laudable but with 0% chance of success. This is not Europe or America where a small group can spark a big protest. The ST might print one letter but after that simply stop publishing them. If Genting gets negative publicity they will simply complain to the ST and that shuts you up pretty effectively.

I'd rather try to encourage them to use the sharks in captivity to educate the public that shark numbers are down, etc. More chance of a success there. If Genting changes their proposal you might buy 10 sharks a few more years, if you educate the public to not eat shark fin soup anymore you save thousands or more sharks.

[Traminer]

Funny how none of the gaming facilities in the IR proposals are featured so far. Guess the tiger shark tanks are comes in handy after you lose your shirt on the baccarat table.

Factoid: Whale Sharks (Rhincodon typus) are classified as an threatened species under CITES

[Lensmaker]

Originally Posted by xcite

Guys, isn't it a little naive to believe that a letter to the Dire Straits.. err.. Straits Times will make Genting change their proposal? The idea is laudable but with 0% chance of success. This is not Europe or America where a small group can spark a big protest. The ST might print one letter but after that simply stop publishing them. If Genting gets negative publicity they will simply complain to the ST and that shuts you up pretty effectively.

I'd rather try to encourage them to use the sharks in captivity to educate the public that shark numbers are down, etc. More chance of a success there. If Genting changes their proposal you might buy 10 sharks a few more years, if you educate the public to not eat shark fin soup anymore you save thousands or more sharks.

Guys if we don't try and make a difference no one will.
We can make a difference too - example: I was recently invited to an event for frequent flyers by a certain wellknown airline. There was a finger buffet with the menu listed on the invite - there are vegetarians and non-sea food eaters out there. Included were shark fin buns. I wrote back saying that under no circumstances could I attend the event and that i was surprised by the insensitivity, did they know sharks were endangered and that they should be setting an example, plus copied it to investor relations and their PR people. I told them I would wait for their response before making it more widely known. 2 days later I had an apology, a change of menu, a new invite sent to everybody etc. It may not be much, but we have to try.

[xcite]

ok, assuming Genting leaves the sharks out of this.. .you missed an opportunity to educate the public about shark finning... so what's more desirable? Saving 1 whaleshark or thousands?

[Zippsy]

Didn't PM Badawi say that the plans for the building on Sipadan were changed because of the public outcry on the internet and in letters to the ministers and editors of papers? I'm pretty sure that the individuals that did do something then DID make a difference.