COARE: news | Oregon Shark Fin Ban (HB 2838) press release

Oregon Shark Fin Ban (HB 2838) Press Release . . .
NEWS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
02 June 2011


       HISTORIC OREGON LEGISLATION PROTECTS SHARKS

     Oregon Lawmakers Approve House Bill 2838 Today, 
  Continuing Efforts to Ban Shark Fins on the West Coast


San Francisco, California - 02 June 2011 -- The
Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and Education,
known more commonly by its acronym "COARE", applauds the
State of Oregon for its passage of House Bill 2838 to
ban the sale, trade, possession, and distribution of
shark fins.  Since its inception, COARE has been
actively addressing shark conservation issues, and
attempts to reduce shark fin consumption in the U.S. and
worldwide.

House Bill (HB) 2838 was introduced to the Oregon State
Legislature on 11 January 2011 by Representative Brad
Witt (D-Clatskanie), and subsequently passed the House
of Representatives and Oregon State Senate unanimously,
with votes of 44-0 and 30-0, respectively.  Today, the
House of Representatives voted 58-1 to concur with minor
amendments made in the Senate, and the bill now moves on
to the governor for action.

Oregon is now one step closer to helping the West Coast
of the United States enact a full ban on the trade of
shark fins, which will help reduce pressure on rapidly
declining shark populations.  Oregon's ban complements
similar legislation signed into law on 12 May 2011 by
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, as well as pending
legislation in California, which recently passed
California's State Assembly.  Oregon's proposed ban is
also preceded by legislative bans adopted by the State
of Hawai'i, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.  

Every year, fins from up to 73 million sharks are used
for shark fin soup, a dish traditionally served at
Chinese weddings and banquets.  This soup has grown in
popularity, increasing consumer demand for shark fins
and contributing to the decimation of shark populations
worldwide as millions of sharks are killed every month,
many for their fins alone.  As a result of these fishing
pressures, one-third of shark species are already
threatened with extinction.

"All too often shark fins are obtained by means of a
barbaric practice commonly referred to as finning.  This
involves the taking of sharks solely for the purpose of
harvesting their fins, while the rest of the fish is
usually wasted," said Representative Witt.  "Worse yet,
sharks are often finned alive, only to die an agonizing
death of starvation, drowning, or bleeding."

"We are absolutely thrilled by the leadership of
Representative Witt and his colleagues in the Oregon
State Legislature," said Chin.  "These decisive votes
continue to set a very clear direction and provide
strong examples to follow.  If any California Senators
have been harboring doubt about which direction to take,
the choice should be clear."


About COARE
The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research, and
Education, Inc. (COARE) is a tax-exempt nonprofit
organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area.  Its
purpose is to study our oceans and increase public
awareness of the earth's marine environment through
educational programs and outreach.  COARE seeks to
enlighten people, young and old, to the plight of the
oceans, to change the way they think and act, and to
encourage them to create positive and lasting change.
For more information about COARE, and the Shark Safe
certification program, visit http://www.coare.org and
http://www.sharksafe.org.


COARE, Shark Safe, and the Shark Safe logo are
trademarks of The Center for Oceanic Awareness,
Research, and Education, Inc.  All other company names
or marks mentioned herein are those of their respective
owners.


Media Contact
Jennifer Bowyer, media@coare.org, +1-510-495-7875

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