Conservation Careers

In the bustling waters of Hong Kong, a silent crisis unfolds beneath the surface. Stan Shea, Marine Programme Director at Bloom HK and ADMCF stands at the forefront of a huge challenge to protect the region’s marine life from the devastating effects of overfishing and unsustainable practices.

Born and bred in Hong Kong, Stan faced initial resistance from his parents, about pursuing a non-traditional subject. He persevered and went to Oxford Brookes University to study for an Environmental Science degree. Upon returning home, he pursued a Master of Philosophy in Ecology & Biodiversity at The University of Hong Kong.

A pivotal volunteer experience at the Marine Science Institute, led Stan to realise that Marine Biology was a field he could actively pursue in Hong Kong.

“When you get to study more, learn more, you understand the threat and the need for research, and for people, to work in the field because you can’t unknow what you have learnt”.

Stan’s route to conservation

In 2009, Bloom Association, a French NGO dedicated to ocean conservation realised there were few places in Asia like Hong Kong with such a ‘catastrophic environmental record’. As a result, Bloom set up an office in Hong Kong. Stan’s passion for Hong Kong’s marine life led him to volunteer at Bloom HK. His contributions to a review of the Shark Fin trade secured him full-time employment at the NGO.

BLOOM HK’s efforts, alongside other NGOs, led to a significant achievement: by early 2012, shark fin products were banned from government official functions and removed from most leading luxury hotel menus. By 2024, Stan notes that most major luxury hotels have adopted sustainability positions, a responsibility that previously fell under food safety managers.

From 2009 to 2024, Stan has spearheaded leading conservation campaigns in Hong Kong. Whilst there are positive changes in the consumption of shark-based products, Stan reflects this is only scratching the surface. Beneath Hong Kong’s waters, a myriad of sea creatures still need protection.

“You can see that the awareness of these iconic [Shark] species is relatively higher than other species”.

Stan’s current efforts focus on ensuring the sustainability of less iconic but equally vital seafood species such as Sea Cucumbers, species supplying fish maw (dried swim bladder from large fishes highly sought in Chinese cooking as it’s seen as a delicacy) and reef fishes common to the live food fish trade.

Hong Kong’s position as an international trade hub,  importing 80% of its seafood from more than 170 countries/territories, presents unique challenges in regulating both the legal and illegal fishing trades. Stan and his team are confronting these issues through thorough market research.

For shark fins, they conduct sampling by purchasing fin trimmings, talking to traders and retailers and analysing the market to understand the situation. DNA forensic analysis, supported by researchers at the University of Florida, is then conducted to identify shark species from their fins.

“People want to protect sharks, but if we don’t know what we are trading, it’s difficult to provide proper protection”.

To gain a complete picture, market data is combined with customs and government data from several locations, including Hong Kong.

Changing consumer perceptions

Stan has played a pivotal role in a tracked study, interviewing over 1000 Hong Kong residents, to understand consumers eating patterns over time. His research shows significant progress:

• The number of people eating shark fin soup over a 12-month period, decreased from 9% in 2009/2010 to 33.1% in 2020/2021.
• Over half (52.7%) of those who stopped eating shark fin soup in 2019/2020, cited environmental concerns.

Stan credits international and regional conservation efforts, for this change in consumer perception. He also has noted changes in the governance of illegal trade of shark fins. Before international regulations on the sale of shark fins and products came into place in 2014, there were few seizures of illegal products. However, by 2024, the situation has changed.

“In 2024, the government made 20 metric tons purely because of the international treaty”.

Stan sees this as a monumental joint effort with regional and international NGOs. In 2022, countries voted in favour for all species of requiem sharks to be added to the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), meaning these species must be regulated in the international trade. While encouraged by the Hong Kong government’s actions, Stan remains acutely aware that there is still important work to be done.

Beneath Hong Kong’s waters

In 2023, Stan was awarded a Pew Marine Fellowship in Marine Conservation. He is working with data from the citizen science project, 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey conducted since 2014. His goal is to gain a detailed understanding of Hong Kong’s diverse reef fish populations through analysing more than a decade’s worth of fish data.

“If we don’t know what species we have, it’s difficult to talk about protection”.

As it stands only 5% of Hong Kong’s waters are protected, yet Hong Kong’s waters are home to over 450 reef species as documented by Stan and the survey team.  Stan notes that it’s difficult for people in Hong Kong to understand the need for sustainability when it comes to fish.

“The perception is that fish is just food”.

There is a widespread misconception that fish are a bountiful food source, reinforced by their presence in restaurant fish tanks. The perception is that fish are everywhere. Stan attributes this issue down to ignorance and the lack of interaction Hongkongers have with the marine environment underneath their feet.

Stan hopes the data will give a clear picture of Hong Kong’s reef fish populations, the potential impacts of climate change and identify areas that should be prioritised for conservation. He emphasises that more research and resources are needed to protect Hong Kong’s ocean. He suggests that major financial corporations in Hong Kong’s financial district should commit and direct more resources to marine conservation.

Work to be done

Although Shark consumption habits have changed, overconsumption of other species, such as Sea Cucumbers, live reef food fishes and various fish species including Croakers for fish maw, remains an ever-growing issue.

“We know some of the species [Sea Cucumbers] are Endangered, and with Hong Kong being a major trade hub, handling more than 50% of the global import, what can we do?”

Stan reiterates that overconsumption is a shared human problem. Every individual plays a part in the supply chain, and everyone has an obligation to question how something has landed on their table.

“People blame the fishermen; the traders and some people blame the consumer. You see, everyone can play a part, we are part of the problem, but we can be part of the solution”.

Advice for someone wanting to get a job in Hong Kong

Stan notes that the conservation job market differs greatly between Europe and Asia.

• In Europe, conservation standards and organisations like the Marine Stewardship Council are already in place. This means that existing standards and organisations can be critiqued and improved upon.
• In Asia, however, standards are far and few between. Implementing a sustainable seafood-related label requires agreement on definitions and the establishment of a government department dedicated to certification, which takes time.

Stan reflects that in Hong Kong, cultural expectations emphasise providing for one’s family, and careers in conservation often offer lower financial incentives compared to traditional paths. For those with existing financial burdens, Stan suggests working in a more traditional organisation first and then transitioning into conservation or starting their own foundation, once financially secure.

A shared piece of advice for anyone considering a career in conservation is to understand the work-life blend that the field can bring. For some conservationists, personal and professional lives can naturally feed into one another.

Stay connected

Want to learn more about Stan and BLOOM HK? You can find out more about Stan’s work on BLOOM HK’s website or on the 114°E Hong Kong Reef Fish Survey  Instagram and website. You can read more about the role of a Director in Conservation in this Organisational Manager role profile.

Main image: Stan under the water in Hong Kong.

Author Profile | Laura Hayter

Laura is a creative professional with a Master’s in Marine Systems and Policies, she is driven to combine her passion for writing with ocean conservation. Her focus lies in understanding human relationships with natural environments. As a Sustainability Officer for her local council, Laura applies her expertise daily while pursuing creative writing in her free time. Explore Laura’s portfolio or connect with her on LinkedIn to learn more about her work in marine science and sustainability.

Interviews, Celebrating Diversity in Conservation, Organisational Manager, Marine Conservation Jobs, Sustainability