House Passes Shark Finning Ban - Oceana USA
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March 3, 2009

House Passes Shark Finning Ban

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Great news! Yesterday the House of Representatives passed the Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (H.R. 81). This bill, if passed by the Senate, would require sharks to be landed with their fins still naturally attached, which allows for better enforcement of fishery regulations and improved data collection for shark management.Tens of millions of sharks are caught globally for just their fins each year. During the finning process, sharks are typically hauled up on deck, their fins sliced off and the animals thrown back to sea, often still alive. For those of you who have been following this legislative process, the story may sound familiar — the same bill was introduced in the previous Congress and passed the House last July. It didn’t make it through the Senate; this time we are hoping to see the bill become law. Thanks to all of you who wrote to your congressmen and women to help get this bill passed!