Advocacy and Current Bans on Shark Finning

Shark Fin Bans Recently Being Implemented in Asia and North America (OF)

Although laws banning shark fining and illegal poaching have long been implemented in the United States and Canada, worldwide shark management and species protection is still nonexistent. Though this sounds bleak, all hope is not lost yet! Recent movements against shark fins have been gaining traction from different parts of the world, notably in Hong Kong, Taiwan, mainland China, and major cities in the United States and Canada. Considering that 95% of all harvested shark fins are consumed in China, this sudden upsurge of advocacy could provide significant influences on the future survival of shark populations. Although it is still early to say whether these bans could impact current harvesting rates or satiate the public's need for this luxury item, an increasing environmentally conscious need to protect these creatures can be seen from different parts of the world and it sheds a ray of optimism on the future of the world's shark species.

1. Nov. 2011: Hong Kong's Peninsula Hotel Announces Eradication of Shark Fin from Menus 

Hong Kong is known for being the hub and center of shark fin trading with about 50% of all shark fins being transported into the city. In November 2011, Hong Kong's landmark Peninsula Hotel announced that shark fin would be removed from all banquet menus staring January 1, 2012. Hong Kong and Shangri-la hotels, which are under the same company as the Peninsula, also followed suit and announced a ban of shark fin from their restaurants located around the world. "By removing shark fin from our menus, we hope that our decision can contribute to preserving the marine ecosystem for the world's future generations," the group's chief executive officer Clement Kwok announced in a brief press statement. A growing environmental mindset is being fostered by the younger Hong Kong generation. The hotel group noted, "What we've found is that in recent years the younger generation, the couples who are getting married would prefer to steer away from shark's fin. But for their parents or in-laws would prefer to have the shark fin."

Supporters of the Hong Kong Shark Foundation march along a street to raise awareness for sharks killed each year for their fins, in Hong Kong on September 25.

2. Dec. 2011: Taiwan Implements New 2012 Laws Against Shark Finning

Perhaps following suit of Honk Kong's famous Peninsula Hotel's announcement, Taiwan has decided to become the first Asian government to officially ban the practice. Restaurants and other fancy establishments in Taiwan still refuse to remove shark fin from their menu and the fishing laws provide many loopholes for fishermen to continue shark fining. For example, fishermen are allowed to slice off the fins once the boats land since the law only states it is illegal to do so out at sea. However, these laws are expected to reduce the number of shark carcasses entering the country.   

3. Jan 2012: Advocacy Against Shark Fin Consumption in China

Fueled by international environmental groups and the endorsement of several big name stars like Yao Ming and Jackie Chan, the shunning of shark fin consumption is becoming a popularcultural statement. Joined by the group Wild-Aid based in San Francisico, Jackie Chan and Yao Ming ran a series of public service announcements against the buying of shark fin in 2006. In one 30-second spot that first aired on Chinese television in 2009, diners in an upscale restaurant  are served bowls of shark fin soup while next to them a de-finned shark lies writhing in a tank. Yao, wearing a disapproving scowl, pushes his bowl away. "Remember: When the buying stops, the killing can too," he says.

Yao Ming in one of his public service announcements encouraging the ban of shark fin consumption in San Francisco Chinatown

4. New Bans in Cities across USA

Recently, California has joined Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Guam in banning against shark fin trade in the various Pacific ports. The bill, passed back in October 2011, will be enacted staring January 1, 2012. This bill has been met with obvious backlash, especially from the Asian American community who has deemed it discriminatory against Chinese heritage and traditions. Surprisingly, they would rather have shark fishing to be completely illegal than to have members of the Chinese community be "demonized". "I would support just not killing sharks," said State Senator Ted Liu, "but if you're going to kill a shark for a steak or for wallets, then I think you should use the same shark for soup."  

5. Dec 2011: New Federal Ban in Canada 

The Canadian cities of Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, Pickering and Brantford have passed bans against the import and trade of illegally harvested shark fins. Canadian Bill C380 will ban the imports into the country as well as encourage other nations to do the same.

Sources: 

http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/22/world/asia/hotel-shark-fin-ban/index.html 

http://newsfeed.time.com/2011/12/01/taiwan-to-become-first-asian-nation-to-ban-shark-finning/

http://articles.latimes.com/2012/jan/31/world/la-fg-china-shark-fin-20120201

http://www.ecorazzi.com/2011/12/08/canadian-bill-introduced-to-ban-shark-fin-imports-nationwide/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/07/shark-fin-trade-banned-california_n_1000906.html

http://www.zesterdaily.com/environment/1052-california-shark-fin-ban-proposal