WASHINGTON, D.C.\u2014Following the example of the Northern Marianas and 14 other U.S. states and territories, the U.S. House of Representatives approved yesterday legislation that bans buying or selling shark fins nationwide. The bill passed on a vote of 310-107.<\/p>\n
Delegate Gregorio Kilili Ca. Sablan (Ind-MP) introduced the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, H.R. 737, in January. Over the next 10 months, Sablan collected 287 cosponsors, the largest number for an ocean conservation bill so far in this Congress. He was joined in the effort by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas). Numerous conservation organizations supported the legislation, along with 45 domestic and international airlines, 21 shipping companies, and more than 645 other U.S. businesses and organizations.<\/p>\n
Fins from an estimated 73 million sharks are sliced off and sold in the global marketplace each year. And, largely due to this demand for fins, some shark species have now declined by more than 90%.<\/p>\n
\u201cSharks are absolutely critical to the health of the oceans,\u201d Sablan explained during debate on the House floor yesterday. \u201cAs apex predators, they help maintain the balance of life by keeping prey populations in check.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sharks are also critical to the tourism economy of many coastal communities, Sablan said. \u201cIn Florida alone, tourists, who go diving to see sharks, generate more than 200 times the value of the trade in shark fins for our entire country.\u201d<\/p>\n
It is already illegal in the U.S. to take sharks solely for their fins. But because fins can still be imported for sale, the U.S. remains a contributor to the international trade.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe survival of these majestic creatures is of great importance and this bill will help ensure they are around for decades to come,\u201d McCaul said. \u201cI am proud to work alongside colleagues who have taken a stand against this atrocity [of shark finning].\u201d<\/p>\n
Eliminating that trade has been a priority for conservation advocates for years; and they praised yesterday\u2019s vote. \u201cOceana applauds the House for passing this important legislation,\u201d said Whitney Webber, director of the group\u2019s shark campaign. \u201cNow it\u2019s time for the Senate to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n
The president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund, Sara Amundson, echoed those sentiments. \u201cWe thank [Reps.] Sablan and McCaul for introducing this important piece of legislation. By passing the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, the U.S. House of Representatives has taken a significant step toward eliminating extinction of these remarkable creatures.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cSharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years on this planet, and yet these remarkable apex predators now face one of the biggest threats to their survival because of the demand for their fins,\u201d said Cathy Liss, president of the Animal Welfare Institute. <\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grateful to [Reps.] Sablan and McCaul for their steadfast leadership and urge the Senate to quickly pass the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, so that it can be signed into law.\u201d<\/p>\n
The shark fin act was one of nine bipartisan, conservation bills the House passed yesterday. \u201cEach piece of legislation represents the tireless work of the sponsor and the hope of the communities who will be impacted,\u201d said Rep. Ra\u00fal Grijalva (D-Arizona), chair of the Natural Resources Committee, which had jurisdiction over the legislation. <\/p>\n
\u201cFrom banning selling shark fins to protecting wetlands, I will continue advancing Democratic priorities that make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our planet,\u201d Grijalva said.<\/p>\n
Sablan thanked McCaul, Grijalva, and all 310 members who voted for his bill. \u201cHowever, the work is not over,\u201d he said. \u201cThe Senate must also act to pass this critical bill and get it to the President\u2019s desk so we can finally get our country out of the devastating global shark fin trade.\u201d <\/p>\n
According to a statement from Animal Wellness Action, Sens. Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Shelly Moore Capito (R-WV) also introduced a companion bill that the Senate Commerce Committee has already approved.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe shouldn\u2019t kill elephants for their ivory, rhinos for their horns, or\u00a0sharks for their fins,\u201d\u00a0said Wayne Pacelle, founder of Animal Wellness Action.\u00a0\u201cIt is wasteful and barbaric, it imperils species and ecosystem health, and it degrades marine-based ecotourism and\u00a0shark-diving experiences throughout the world.\u201d (PR, Saipan Tribune)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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