As I had blogged before as well as had interviewed AB 376 bill sponsor California State Assembly member Paul Fong, Governor Jerry Brown has just now signed the bill into law.
“The practice of cutting the fins off of living sharks and dumping them back in the ocean is not only cruel, but it harms the health of our oceans,” Brown said in a statement. … “Researchers estimate that some shark populations have declined by more than 90%, portending grave threats to our environment and commercial fishing,’’ Brown said. “In the interest of future generations, I have signed this bill.”
The complaints about this bill, now law, being discriminatory towards Chinese, I think is a bit overblown. Certainly, I assume the Chinese do consume the majority of shark fin soup in California. But it’s not like the law is specifically banning shark fin soup because Chinese like to have the soup. Let’s say that koala bears were close to extinction and koala bear meat was popular amongst New Zealanders (“Kiwis”), I’m sure people would be complaining about that law being discriminatory towards Kiwis.
Well, since this law doesn’t take place until July 1st, 2013. Maybe the majority of sharks will be extinct by then? Maybe then the detractors will be happy? Either way, there’s not going to be shark fin soup for you! Yao Ming has been doing his part on promoting the non-consumption of shark fin soup.
- Excited
- Fascinated
- Amused
- Disgusted
- Sad
- Angry
