Assemblymembers Fong And Huffman Fighting To Save Sharks
Introduce Legislation To Ban The Possession And Sale Of Shark Fins
Dan Okenfuss, (916) 319-2006, dan.okenfuss@asm.ca.gov
Assembly Member Jared Huffman
01/31/2011
SACRAMENTO—Today Assemblymembers Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and
Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) unveiled their landmark legislation Assembly Bill
(AB) 376 to ban shark finning, a process where the fins and tails are cut from
living sharks, and the remainder of the fish, which is often still alive, is
thrown back into the ocean.
Driving this market for fins is the demand for shark fin soup, an often very
expensive dish associated with affluence. Unfortunately, the ingredient is very
high in mercury and the FDA warns that it could be dangerous to consumers’
health.
“Current laws that ban the practice of shark finning are insufficient when we
have species of sharks depleted up to 90 percent” said Assemblymember Fong
(D-Cupertino). “The demand for shark fin is growing and the worldwide shark
population is depleting to extinction rates. I say it is time to remove shark
fin from the menu.”
“Sharks are the top predators in ocean ecosystems around the world,” said
Assemblymember Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael). “Removing them by this senseless
act of finning can seriously destabilize the food chain. To save them from
extinction, our bill targets the demand for these shark fins by banning their
sale and possession here in California.”
Specifically, AB 376 will be a step forward to protect sharks and our ocean
for future generations by making it illegal to possess, sell, trade, or
distribute shark fin.
Supporters of the bill include Actor Leonardo DiCaprio, who expressed his
support for the bill today, Master Chef Martin Yan, Chef Charles Phan of the
Slanted Door, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, The Asian Pacific American
Ocean Harmony Alliance, the California Academy of Sciences, The Humane Society
of the United States, WildAid, SeaStewards, Oceana, Natural Resources Defense
Council, California Coastkeeper Alliance, Pacific Environment, Defenders of
Wildlife, Environment California, Ocean Conservancy, Food Empowerment Project,
Heal the Bay.
