Sea Save Foundation
Contributor
The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act is a bipartisan bill to prohibit the sale of shark fins in the U.S. "Shark finning is the inhumane practice of cutting off a shark’s fins, often while the shark is still alive, and discarding the body into the ocean." Shark fins are used in soups and, although flavorless, is used as a delicacy and status symbol in some Asian cultures. Many states have already "enacted laws that prohibit shark fin trade outright, making it illegal to sell, trade, or possess shark fins within their borders", nevertheless "a comprehensive nationwide ban is needed to ensure that the United States does not continue to serve as a driving force behind the slaughter of sharks around the world." Read more about the bill, sponsored by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Representative Ed Royce (R-CA), here.
The argument against the shark fin ban claims that discarding shark fins and banning their importation will only hurt fishing families economically. Furthermore, this bill would only result in the U.S. ceding shark fin trade to other countries - we should instead promote full utilization of harvested sharks and discourage overharvesting globally. Read the article here by Shaun Gehan, a lobbyist for Sustainable Shark Alliance. The Sustainable Shark Alliance (SSA) represents shark fishermen and dealers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
What do you think?
The argument against the shark fin ban claims that discarding shark fins and banning their importation will only hurt fishing families economically. Furthermore, this bill would only result in the U.S. ceding shark fin trade to other countries - we should instead promote full utilization of harvested sharks and discourage overharvesting globally. Read the article here by Shaun Gehan, a lobbyist for Sustainable Shark Alliance. The Sustainable Shark Alliance (SSA) represents shark fishermen and dealers on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.
What do you think?