California Looks to Stop Shark Fin Soup Sales

You may not have tried Shark Fin Soup, but the dish, which China's middle and upper classes consume at banquets and special occasions, is growing in popularity. That's a real problem for sharks, who are on the brink of extinction partially due to demand for this soup.

Sharks are "finned" specifically to make shark fin soup. Fisherman catch sharks, cut off their fin and tail while they're alive, and then throw them back into the water, leaving the animals to die. Nearly 73 million sharks are killed this way each year for the shark fin trade, and it's having a devastating impact on shark populations. Environmental organizations are concerned that the demise of sharks could lead to an imbalance in oceanic ecosystems, with disastrous results for many marine species.

That's why California is looking to ban the sale of shark fins in the state. California State Assembly Bill 376, which would add the ban to the state's Fish and Game Code, was introduced by Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) and Paul Fong (D-Cupertino). While the federal government already bans the practice of finning sharks, the law only applies to U.S.-registered boats. Assembly Bill 376 takes another approach, mimicking Hawaii's recent ban of selling shark fin soup in an effort to take away the market for this brutal trade. The bill is supported by a number of organizations including the Humane Society of the United States, The California Academy of Sciences, The California Coastkeeper Alliance, Environment California, The Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, Pacific Environment, San Francisco Baykeepers, and SeaStewards.

There are those who don't want to see this bill pass. Fishermen and distributors who peddle shark fins are of course opposed and so are some members of California's Chinese and Asian American communities. State Senator Leland Yee, who is running for Mayor of San Francisco, told the San Francisco Chronicle the potential ban was an "attack on Asian culture".

But not all Asian Americans feel that way, and as Assembly Bill 376 was introduced, a coalition called the Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance (APA Alliance) was formed. "Those who are profiting from the slaughter of sharks solely for their fins are misusing race and culture to defend the industry," said Judy Ki, spokesperson for the APA Alliance. "Thousands of years of eastern philosophy emphasize the importance of harmony with nature to Asian and Pacific Islanders."

The APA Alliance asks you to join them in supporting the ban on selling shark fins in California. Learn more about the coalition, and if you want to help them protect sharks, sign their petition asking California lawmakers to pass Bill 376.

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