The Oregon senate approved a bill that would ban shark fin sales in the state with a titanic caveat, otherwise known as a loophole.The bill makes an exception for spiny dogfish, a small shark that accounts for 300,000 pounds in landings by commercial fishermen each year and sport fishermen with a valid license are not affected. Additionally the bill carries a paltry fine of up to $720 for violators.
So what of these shark fins and the "possessing, selling, offering for sale, trading or distributing?"
Ya like Dags Blog has pre-emptive thoughts on that and we have to agree with their final summation.
While this is great news for sharks in general and a clear win for conservation:
"It’s interesting to see the compromise of the Federal law being mirrored on a state level with a different species. I wouldn’t be surprised if this becomes a bigger controversy down the road."
Major exports for spiny dogfish shark fin harvested in the U.S are Asian markets.
