Shark Fin Ban Goes To Governor

No more shark fin soup in California. 

The Chinatown delicacy would be wiped off the menu under a bill that arrived on Gov. Jerry Brown's desk Tuesday.

AB376, by Assemblyman Paul Fong (D-Mountain View), passed the state Senate on a 25-9 vote on Monday.

Opponents were vocal during the final debate. 

Sen. Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar) called the ban a "cultural affront," noting consumption of shark fins is a long-held tradition in some Asian-American households.

But Fong and a number of environmental groups said the increased harvest of sharks underlined a need for new protections.

The bill bans sale, possession and distribution for shark fins.  But there are exceptions, such as for scientific research.

The Department of Fish and  Game estimates that enforcing the new law, if signed, would cost tens of thousands of dollars.

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