Shark fin soup? Say what?!
Extinction of the most important species of sharks is a distinct possibility in our lifetime. After all, we are fishing sharks at the rate of 250,000 every single day.
Sharks are an incredibly important part of the ocean's ecosystem. In North Carolina, when overfishing caused a decline in the number of sharks, the sting ray population exploded. And with all the sting rays came a devastating blow to the scallop and clam populations.
See the video for more information: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzlqXMateRE&feature=player_embedded
The cruel practice of shark finning is neatly summed up in the bill's text:
"The practice of shark finning, where a shark is caught, the fin is cut off, and the shark is returned to the water, causes tens of millions of sharks to die a slow death each year. Some sharks starve to death, others are slowly eaten by other fish, and some drown because most sharks need to keep moving to force water through their gills for oxygen."
More information: http://animals.change.org/blog/view/shark_fin_off_the_menu_in_hawaii
http://food.change.org/blog/view/hawaii_becomes_first_state_to_ban_shark_fin_soup
http://food.change.org/blog/view/why_are_supermarkets_selling_shark_meat
