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    October 08, 2011

California Bans Shark Fin

   Elizabeth Lee | Los Angeles

   People in California can no longer eat the Chinese delicacy of shark
   fin soup. The Governor of California officially made it illegal to sell
   or possess shark fin. The ban is a part of a growing movement worldwide
   to save the shark population. But there are some Chinese who feel
   California's ban on shark fin is unfair and discriminatory.

   Shark fin soup is a delicacy in Chinese cooking that dates back
   hundreds of years. The expensive dish has become increasingly popular
   as more Chinese are getting wealthy. But conservationists, like Sarah
   Sikich of Heal the Bay, say the demand for shark fin is devastating the
   shark population.
   "Up to 73 million sharks are killed each year for their fin alone,"
   noted Sikich.
   Sikich says the practice of finning is popular among fishermen who
   would catch the shark, slice off the fin and throw the fish back into
   the ocean to die.
   Barbara Long at the Aquarium of the Pacific says when the shark
   population is put at risk, the health of the ocean is also in danger.
   "Sharks are a top predator and play a very vital role in marine
   ecosystems," said Long.
   Celebrities like Chinese basketball star Yao Ming and British tycoon
   Richard Branson are asking the Chinese to stop eating shark fin soup.
   U.S. law requires all sharks that are brought on shore to have their
   fins attached. California now joins three other U.S. states for even
   stricter regulations that ban the sale of shark fin, a commodity that
   is worth as much as $700 a kilogram.
   "Because the fin is driving the market value of the shark, it's most
   important to target that aspect, noted Sikich. "California is the
   leading importer of shark fin to the U.S. It's estimated that 85
   percent of the shark fin that enters the U.S. comes through
   California."
   But opponents of the California ban say the law unfairly targets the
   Chinese community because it only bans shark fin and not the entire
   shark. California State Senator Ted Lieu voted against the ban.
   "You can slaughter this highly vulnerable shark for fish and chips, but
   a Chinese restaurant couldn't take a shark fin from one of the hundreds
   of shark species are nowhere near endangered and to me that is
   completely discriminatory and very unfair," said Lieu.
   Betty Tsang of the Asian Food Trade Association says California's shark
   fin ban is also wasteful.
   "If the fisherman or the fishery industry get the shark in now they
   have to take out the shark fin and throw it away," said Tsang. "They
   have to feed it to the dogs or throw it back into the sea. It is the
   reverse."
   Many opponents of the shark fin ban say they would support a ban on the
   entire shark. That's exactly what eight representatives ranging from
   Latin American countries to Micronesia have pledged. They signed a
   declaration at the United Nations to develop shark sanctuaries that
   would end the commercial fishing of sharks.