It is my understanding that Senate S. 850 bill has passed a Senate committee and may come up for a vote over the next few months. As mentioned int eh post below, it works to close loopholes in current law. I would encourage Scubaboard members in the US to contact their Senators regarding their views on this bill.
Matthew Ross
A post from x-ray magazine:
While the practice was banned in the United States by the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000, loopholes have prevented effective enforcement.
The Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850) closes a big loophole that allows a vessel to transport fins obtained illegally, as long as the sharks were not finned aboard that vessel.
The legislation also broadens global awareness of shark finning by directing the Secretary of Commerce to list the countries that have not adopted similar conservation measures.
The Act would also close a loophole that allows the transfer of fins at sea as a way to get around current law. Additionally, the bill would allow the United States to take action against countries whose shark finning restrictions are not as strenuous.
Matthew Ross
A post from x-ray magazine:
While the practice was banned in the United States by the Shark Finning Prohibition Act of 2000, loopholes have prevented effective enforcement.
The Shark Conservation Act of 2009 (S. 850) closes a big loophole that allows a vessel to transport fins obtained illegally, as long as the sharks were not finned aboard that vessel.
The legislation also broadens global awareness of shark finning by directing the Secretary of Commerce to list the countries that have not adopted similar conservation measures.
The Act would also close a loophole that allows the transfer of fins at sea as a way to get around current law. Additionally, the bill would allow the United States to take action against countries whose shark finning restrictions are not as strenuous.
