Photos from Shark Allies, Facebook
On Friday, the Florida Senate passed SB860, a bill that bans the import, export, and sale of shark fins in Florida, which is currently the biggest hub of the shark fin trade in the United States.
Today, the House passed an amended version of the bill, which means that it now returns to the Senate for another vote.
As per Shark Allies, an estimated 70 million sharks are killed every year to satisfy the senseless shark fin trade; a market that is driving shark populations worldwide to extinction.
The Shark Allies team spearheaded the 2010 landmark bill in Hawaii that became a guide legislation for 12 other U.S. states, including California and New York, as well as many Pacific Island Nations.
A statement on the Shark Allies website explains that, “in a compromise with opponents of the measure, the Senate bill includes a sunset provision that allows businesses five years to adjust their practices in order to assure the least financial harm.”
An additional study by the FWC is included that will determine the economic impact and ways to make such businesses whole.
As noted by floridapolitics.com this afternoon, “commercial fisherman had expressed concerns that an all-inclusive ban would have hurt their businesses. They argued that fins procured from sharks caught for other legal uses should still be permitted, a request the amendment granted.”
The amendment, introduced by Rep. Toby Overdorf, bans imported shark fins while protecting those with domestic shipping licenses.
WAN believes that there should be no exceptions in this bill to protect fishermen who ship shark fins on a domestic level.
“The overwhelming support from Floridians and Florida’s Legislatures highlights the importance of shark conservation,” avid animal welfare advocate who has worked diligently to end shark finning in Florida and the Executive Director of One Protest, Adam Sugalski, told WAN. “The fin trade is one of the greatest threats sharks on this planet face. This new bill sets a precedent for the future protection of Earth’s vulnerable shark populations.”
Shark Allies has issued an urgent plea for the public’s help in urging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to halt this disastrous trade. You do not need to be a Florida resident to voice your concern.
