( CNN ) -- Three more Asia-Pacific based airlines have announced plans to ban shark 's fin cargo from their flights . Fiji 's national carrier and South Korea 's Asiana and Korean Air are the latest to promise to halt shipments of shark fin and shark-related products from unsustainable and unverified sources . Acting CEO of Air Pacific -- soon to rebrand as Fiji Airways -- says the move is the result of a month-long review of its freight policies relating to shark products . `` We believe a ban on the shipment of unsustainably sourced shark fins is the right thing to do , and have implemented this policy effective immediately , '' Aubrey Swift said in a statement released Monday . `` We will now work with conservation partners and the fishing industry to prepare and implement policies and processes that will ensure future shipments are sustainably sourced . '' Shark finning thrives on Hong Kong rooftops . Korean Air made its announcement of the change in policy last week . `` Previously , Korean Air carried shark fin only under the condition that a valid CITES ( Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora ) permit was fully obtained by the customer from the related national management authority , '' the airline said in a statement . `` However , recently there has been a series of global movements calling to ban the carriage of shark fins . In view of these movements and in order to support the global call of protecting endangered shark species , Korean Air has recently reviewed its policy to stop the carriage of shark fins . '' Lee Hyomin , a spokesman from Korean Air rival Asiana , told CNN the airline has already banned shark fins from its flights as well . Success for anti-shark fin campaigns . The announcement by Air Pacific -- which in two days will officially relaunch as Fiji Airways -- comes in the wake of criticism of its earlier shark fin shipments to Hong Kong , the world 's biggest market for the controversial product . Campaigns highlighting the cruelty and devastation stemming from the practice continue to gather pace in the region . Approximately 72 million sharks are killed each year and 10,000 tons of fins are traded through Hong Kong . Cathay Pacific bans shark 's fin cargo flights . `` Bans such as the ones taken by the airlines are an important step in the right direction , '' Ran Elfassy , director of Hong Kong-based Shark Rescue , told CNN . `` The supply chain of shark products involves many players and the chances are good that traders will move to other carriers . But each disruption adds inefficiency and added cost to the transport , hopefully adding strong pressure to end the trade . '' Prominent hotels and restaurants in the city have been publicly striking shark fin from their menus , while Hong Kong 's main carrier Cathay Pacific also announced a ban on shark 's fin cargo last September . Shark Rescue 's Elfassy says the impact of these large companies stepping up to ban shark fin is huge . `` When hotels like the Peninsula or airlines like Cathay Pacific take a stand to do what 's right , it sends a message that being socially responsible is good business , '' he says . `` It also means these organizations who reach millions of customers every year can be major contributors for doing good . Moreover , it validates what the grassroots groups have been saying all along . '' Last month , Air New Zealand also agreed to stop flying shipments of shark fin to Hong Kong . The decision came about after the New Zealand Shark Alliance revealed the airline 's shipments in local media . `` Air New Zealand has taken the decision to suspend the carriage of shark fins while we undertake a review of the issue , '' Air New Zealand spokesperson Andrew Aitken told CNN last month . Though such bans prove that the issue is taking root not just at the dinner table but also in boardrooms , more governments in Asia need to follow suit says Jerry McLean , director and co-founder of the Hong Kong Shark Foundation . `` Consumers ' attitudes are shifting against consuming shark products and many states have banned it including Brunei , '' he tells CNN . `` Asia 's governments need to step up and echo the attitudes of their populace . Hong Kong plays a crucial role in this , as it accounts for a little over 50 % of the global trade . But so far Hong Kong has n't even followed China in banning it at government banquets . '' Peninsula Hotels group bans shark 's fin from menus . CNN 's Frances Cha contributed to this report .
Air Pacific , Asiana and Korean Air vow to halt shark fin shipments . Comment: The fins are used in many Asian countries as a delicacy for their cuisine. Impact of large corporations taking a stand is huge , says Hong Kong-based Shark Rescue .