On Dec. 8, New Westminster-Coquitlam MP Fin Donnelly introduced a private member's bill that would ban the import of shark's fin into Canada. The procurement and distribution of shark's fin, which results in the killing of an estimated 73 million sharks yearly, is now illegal in Hawaii, California, Oregon and Washington.
In Canada, Ontario is leading the way, with London and Pickering passing bans on shark's fin sale and possession on Nov. 21, joining Toronto, Mississauga and Brantford. All eyes are now on whether Vancouver, with its large Asian population, will join the rush of Canadian cities taking on a bylaw banning shark's fin.
I've tasted shark's fin soup and I agree with the critics: it's overrated. Its flavor comes from the chicken stock and ham, since shark's fin itself is basically tasteless. I've watched documentaries such as Rob Stewart's 'Sharkwater,' which show the sadistic practice of finning sharks: harvesting the high-value fins off live creatures and throwing the bodies, still alive, back into the sea. I've swum with sharks and the experience was thrilling and humbling.