Cuomo Signs Shark Finning Bill into Law
Published: 30 July 2013 - Associated Press
Albany, NY-Today, Governor Cuomo signed a law to ban the possession, sale,
trade and distribution of shark fins in New York State. Citizens Campaign for
the Environment (CCE) is applauding Governor Cuomo for taking action stop
the shark fin trade in New York State, thus helping to save millions of sharks
globally.
The practice of shark finning is already banned in US waters; however, NY
remains one of the largest markets for shark fins outside Asia and the largest port
of entry for shark fins on the East Coast.
"With a stroke of the pen Governor Cuomo has enacted a law that will help save
millions of sharks from being needlessly and brutally killed for their fins," said Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director. "CCE
applauds the legislature and Governor Cuomo for their leadership in protecting global shark populations and the health of our
ocean ecosystems."
An estimated 73 million sharks die every year through finning, the practice of cutting the fins off of a shark and discarding the body.
The fins are the most valuable part of the shark, and after removing them, the rest of the shark is often thrown back into the water,
unable to survive. The fin is considered a Chinese delicacy that is used in shark fin soup. Not only is this process inhumane, it
endangers shark populations and negatively impacts ecosystems by removing an important predator.
New York now joins California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Delaware, American Samoa, Guam and Northern
Mariana Islands, which have all enacted similar laws. The bill was delivered to the Governor's desk on Friday, July 19th, after the
Senate and Assembly unanimously passed the bill (A.1769b- Maisel / S.1711b - Grisanti) during this year.
"What is considered a dining delicacy today will be considered a dining taboo tomorrow. This bill will propel us forward in protecting
sharks and our ocean ecosystems. Kudos to Governor Cuomo, Senator Grasanti and Assemblyman Maisel for giving sharks and
our oceans needed protection," Esposito said.
trade and distribution of shark fins in New York State. Citizens Campaign for
the Environment (CCE) is applauding Governor Cuomo for taking action stop
the shark fin trade in New York State, thus helping to save millions of sharks
globally.
The practice of shark finning is already banned in US waters; however, NY
remains one of the largest markets for shark fins outside Asia and the largest port
of entry for shark fins on the East Coast.
"With a stroke of the pen Governor Cuomo has enacted a law that will help save
millions of sharks from being needlessly and brutally killed for their fins," said Adrienne Esposito, CCE Executive Director. "CCE
applauds the legislature and Governor Cuomo for their leadership in protecting global shark populations and the health of our
ocean ecosystems."
An estimated 73 million sharks die every year through finning, the practice of cutting the fins off of a shark and discarding the body.
The fins are the most valuable part of the shark, and after removing them, the rest of the shark is often thrown back into the water,
unable to survive. The fin is considered a Chinese delicacy that is used in shark fin soup. Not only is this process inhumane, it
endangers shark populations and negatively impacts ecosystems by removing an important predator.
New York now joins California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Oregon, Washington, Delaware, American Samoa, Guam and Northern
Mariana Islands, which have all enacted similar laws. The bill was delivered to the Governor's desk on Friday, July 19th, after the
Senate and Assembly unanimously passed the bill (A.1769b- Maisel / S.1711b - Grisanti) during this year.
"What is considered a dining delicacy today will be considered a dining taboo tomorrow. This bill will propel us forward in protecting
sharks and our ocean ecosystems. Kudos to Governor Cuomo, Senator Grasanti and Assemblyman Maisel for giving sharks and
our oceans needed protection," Esposito said.
