(Dive Travel Business News - Sept 7, 2011) -- California has joined Hawaii, Oregon and Washington in banning the import of shark fin products. The California Senate passed legislation Sept 6. 2011 that would ban the trade, sale and possession of shark fins, rejecting arguments that the conservation measure discriminates against Asians who consume shark fin soup. A majority of both Democrats and Republicans voted in favor of it. Backers of the bill said they hoped California Governor Brown would sign the bill but expected the lobbying battle would continue in the coming month.
While environmental and animal welfare groups pushed for the Legislature to ban the sale and possession of shark fins, an emotional battle over traditional shark fin soup split California's Chinese American community. The legislation was co-sponsored by the Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance and was supported by several Chinese-American politicians. However some Chinese-American state senators fought the measure.
