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Hawaii: First in USA to ban possession of shark fins
May 28, 2010: Hawaii has become the first state in the nation to ban
the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins.
Today Governor Linda Lingle of Hawaii signed the bill prohibiting the
possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins, an ingredient
in expensive shark fin soup served in Asian restaurants.
The Act, which takes effect July 1, 2010, gives restaurants in Hawaii
until July 2011 to dispose of stocks of shark fins. Thereafter, those
in violation of the Act will face fines ranging to $15,000 for a first
offense. A second offense provides for fines from $15,000 to $35,000,
and shark fins, commercial marine licenses, vessels, fishing
equipment, or other property involved in the violation will be subject
to seizure and forfeiture. Penalties for a third offense provides for
fines from $35,000 to $50,000, seizure and forfeiture as above, plus a
year in jail. The Act has teeth!
The Shark Research Institute is asking other states and the federal
government to follow suit with similar legislation modeled after the
Hawaii bill.
We urge SRI members to send letters of thanks to Governor Lingle and
Hawaii's legislators. It is important to thank our elected officials
when they do something good. |
