Texas Shark fin ban stalls in Senate

The Houston Chronicle,
Monday, May 20, 2013

A bill to criminalize Texan fishers who possess or sell a shark fin appears to be dead in Senate waters.

Sponsored by Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, House Bill 852 was approved by the Texas House but was taken down after being introduced Monday morning. As the main ingredient for the delicacy shark fin soup, fin meat is the most valuable part of the shark, and yields up to $700 per pound. The act is also federally illegal and has been deemed inhumane, as it results in a heightened number of dead sharks.

Sen. Troy Fraser, R-Horseshoe Bay, questioned Hinojosa on the bill, saying that it would unfairly limit fishers in Texas.

“We’re trying to prohibit and stop the cutting of shark fins,” Hinojosa said.

According to the Animal Welfare Institute, shark fin soup is sold at 13 restaurants in Texas.

Source: The Houston Chronicle

 

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