Shark Protection Bill Lands in Senate
Press Release
CONTACT: Dan Okenfuss, (916) 319-2006 or dan.okenfuss@asm.ca.gov
Office of Assembly Member Jared Huffman
05/24/2011
Yesterday, the landmark California Shark Protection Act, Assembly Bill 376, introduced by Assemblymembers Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael), received bipartisan support in the Assembly and is now headed to the Senate. AB 376 bans the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins in California.
“Just as we banned the cultural tradition of foot binding, the tradition of eating shark fin soup served to show one’s affluence needs to end as well,” said Assemblymember Fong. “I am honored that the California State Assembly recognized what 76 percent of Californians and 70 percent of Chinese American voters in California have already recognized – that sharks are critical to the ocean’s health. Furthermore, our state and federal laws against finning are toothless in international waters – that’s why these efforts to stop the importation and demand here in California are so urgent.”
Reaching upwards of $600 a pound, fins are sought after as opposed to shark meat which is approximately $1 per pound. Once the fins are removed, the sharks’ body is thrown back overboard, often still alive where it sinks the bottom, to slowly bleed out, and then die. The shark fins are then processed and dried and shipped for consumption. Driving the demand for fins is shark fin soup because it is a favorable dish to serve at banquets and special events to show affluence. It is estimated that over seven tons were imported last year.
Sharks, as apex predators, are at the top of the oceans’ food chain. Once removed, all of the oceans species will fall like a house of cards. With scientists estimating 34 percent of the world’s sharks already extinct, and up to 99 percent of species decimated, we may be the generation that is responsible for killing off species that has been around for over 450 million years.
“We have a role in helping our seas recover their balance - a role shared by our friends in Washington State, whose Governor signed a similar ban into law two weeks ago, and Oregon, which is considering a ban in its Legislature as we speak. Sharks belong at the top of the marine food web, and we can help restore them by passing AB 376,” said Assemblymember Huffman.
Supporters of the bill include The Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance, actors Leonardo DiCaprio and Edward Norton, Master Chef Martin Yan, Chef Charles Phan of the Slanted Door, the Monterey Bay Aquarium, 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, and Heal the Bay.
