California has pending legislation designed to outlaw the importation, sale and possession of shark fins.
Perhaps New York lawmakers should consider launching a similar process to help save sharks from the barbaric and unsustainable practice offinning.
A Fox News story out of Panama today involves the discovery of nearly a half ton of shark fins that had once belonged to protected hammerhead sharks. The packaged fins were found at the Central American nation's international airport and labeled as dried fish.
The container originated in Ecuador. Destination: New York City.
Though finning is illegal in U.S. waters, importation, sale and possession is not. Some states are taking upon themselves to enact bans that might result in the killing of fewer sharks for their fins, which are used to make shark-fin soup.
As many as 70 million sharks are killed annually for their fins, and a good number are tossed back alive after their capture, to die a slow death. Many experts believe this rate of slaughter is unsustainable and that some species of sharks, which play a vital role in maintaining a healthy marine ecosystem, are threatened with extinction.
Most fins end up in China or in Asian communities, where shark-fin soup is considered a delicacy. Hawaii has already passed legislation, so you will not find the soup openly advertised there. California, which is a major hub for fins entering the U.S., probably will be next. It is hoped by environmental groups that other states -- why not New York? -- will follow suit.
-- Pete Thomas
Being one of the "leading" nations of the world, the United States of America, as an entirety, should have banned this long ago...
Posted by: Office 2007 | Mar 11, 2011 at 11:01 PM
When will this madness end? When there are no more sharks and our oceans die? This is absolutely outrageous.
Posted by: Gail Rivera | Mar 01, 2011 at 09:34 AM
This is disgusting. Being one of the "leading" nations of the world, the United States of America, as an entirety, should have banned this long ago...
Posted by: T. Marzullo | Feb 28, 2011 at 02:09 AM