Ban Shark Fin Soup and Save These Endangered Animals
Dear Governor,
I am disturbed by the continuing availability of shark fin soup at restaurants and markets in your state. According to the Humane Society of the United States, Oceana, and myriad other animal rights organizations, the process of shark finning is cruel and could result in depletion of endangered shark species. Additionally, the shark fin itself is largely flavorless and may be unhealthy to consume due to its high content of mercury and other neurotoxins.
Several U.S. states, including California, Hawaii and Oregon, have already banned the sale of dishes that include shark fin, and President Obama has signed the Shark Conservation Act, which prohibits U.S. fishermen from practicing shark finning.
Bills to ban the sale and distribution of shark fins have generally received strong bipartisan support. I am confident that if you demand results from your state legislature, a shark fin ban will not be difficult to implement.
Thank you for your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Shark fin soup has been considered a delicacy in many Chinese cuisines dating back to the Ming Dynasty of the 15th and 16th centuries. A symbol of wealth and status, it's often served at weddings, banquets or other celebrations.
In past years, however, the practice of shark finning has come under scrutiny from animal rights organizations, as it involves violently removing the fin and then dumping the shark, often still alive, back into the ocean. The process is not only inhumane, but can be detrimental to shark populations due to overfishing.
The Humane Society of the United States, Oceana, and a host of other animal rights organizations seek to educate the public about the unsustainable nature of foods containing shark fin, and the health problems it may cause due to mercury and other neurotoxins.
Though President Obama signed the Shark Conservation Act in 2011, and bans have already been implemented in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington, shark fins are still legal to serve in much of the United States. Signing this petition will support the organizations looking to end the practice of shark finning.
Learn more about shark finning:
flickr Photo by Wyland, used from USFWS Headquarters
Action Updates
January 11: Fantastic response!
People Who Have Signed
| James M | 21 May 2013 | Cincinnati |
| Amber B | 21 May 2013 | Mandeville |
| Laura T | 21 May 2013 | Barcelona |
| marlis d | 21 May 2013 | north truro |
| Emmanuel R | 20 May 2013 | Querétaro, Mexico |
| Evelia R | 20 May 2013 | Querétaro, Mexico |
| Sawyer S | 20 May 2013 | Ponce Inlet |
| Marguerite W | 20 May 2013 | Dagenham |
| ashtyn n | 20 May 2013 | freeport |
| nihat ali a | 20 May 2013 | izmir |
