50 replies to this topic

[Boges]

There's no real way to enforce this. I doubt they're going to hire special Shark fin agents to monitor China town.

It's just a feel good bit of legislation. That actually means very little.

Just think of all the Shark fin Speakeasys. There'll be a new crime syndicate getting your local City Wok Shark Fin.

BTW if they cared about Shark's so much, why is it going to take a year for this legislation to be implemented?

Can anyone tell I've been watching a lot of Boardwalk Empire?

[Shwa]

There's no real way to enforce this. I doubt they're going to hire special Shark fin agents to monitor China town.

Sure there is. The first thing will be health inspectors and by-law enforcement officers keeping an eye on things and some of them are Chinese. I would suspect that the dish will come off the menus at least to start. However, actually disciplining people for contravening the by-law or whatnot will be tough.

It's just a feel good bit of legislation. That actually means very little.

It actually means quite a bit. The largest city in Canada has just banned shark fins which is following international efforts to ban the practice of finning. While provincial or federal legislation banning shark fins is desired, this is a political step that could become an issue in the other political arenas.

Just think of all the Shark fin Speakeasys. There'll be a new crime syndicate getting your local City Wok Shark Fin.

Just like all those elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn speakeasys right?

BTW if they cared about Shark's so much, why is it going to take a year for this legislation to be implemented?

Because they have to work out the logistics of policing it and, more than likely, wait for the issue to gain traction at the provincial or federal level to let those authorities actually do the enforcement where it will count the most.

[Boges]

People eat Ivory now?

Coucillor Holliday is warning of potential law suit. I'm not opposed to this law but I don't think it will change much.

Typical government to take a year to do something though.

[Shwa]

People eat Ivory now?

Is that what you think I meant by the reference to ivory?

Coucillor Holliday is warning of potential law suit. I'm not opposed to this law but I don't think it will change much.

I don't think there can be any reason to sue, even under a human rights commission thingy. At least not until there is some charge or violation. Even IF they get the stuff off the public menu, that will reduce the demand for shark fins. That is a step in the right direction.

Typical government to take a year to do something though.

As opposed to what, a big corporation? Microsoft Shark Fin Ban 1.0?

[guyser]

I support this ban. I happen to think the ban is a year away to rid the supply they have now.

Half the workforce in my office is first gen Chinese and although they say they like the soup, they too are glad it will be banned. It seems dumb to them they people eat it.

I suspect it will curtail a lot of the import. Of course there will be underground spots who suppply the elders their treat, but it is a good step.

[wyly]

I support this ban. I happen to think the ban is a year away to rid the supply they have now.

Half the workforce in my office is first gen Chinese and although they say they like the soup, they too are glad it will be banned. It seems dumb to them they people eat it.

I suspect it will curtail a lot of the import. Of course there will be underground spots who suppply the elders their treat, but it is a good step.

I've had the soup I can't say it was any good, quite flavorless...I've read it's losing popularity in China as well which shows that if you educate/inform people they understand the stupidity of endangering animal populations...

I used to love tuna but I've stopped eating it for the same reasons...

[Doctor Benry]

The Fed's should look into similar legislation. Its a nasty industry and should be kept out of Canada. If the Fed's took similar measures they could try and prevent the product from entering the country.

[The_Squid]

What did they ban? ALL shark fins, or just imported shark fins?

I ask because BC has a shark fishery that has recently received Marine Stewardship Council certification as sustainable. If the city bans al shark fins, this closes a potential market for this fishery for no reason...

http://www.msc.org/t...a-spiny-dogfish

http://www.vancouver...2392/story.html

[Peeves]

I think cannibalism should be banned too.

Maybe except for Socialist eating their young.

It's very cruel to de fin a shark and pitch hundreds of lbs.of good food over board thrashing unable to swim. I can't accept anything that allows such. Now were they obligated to haul in the dressed shark to as food , then I'd have to agree that would be no worse than other harvesting of a food animal. I've eaten shark on the beach in Trinidad. It was quite good.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

It's just a feel good bit of legislation. That actually means very little.

It reminds me of the legislation in the states that shut down horse farming operations for meat.

The closed the local industry because, people like horses more than cows.

The primary shipping destination was asia... so it was bringing money back too.

[wyly]

It reminds me of the legislation in the states that shut down horse farming operations for meat.

The closed the local industry because, people like horses more than cows.

The primary shipping destination was asia... so it was bringing money back too.

not at all the same...I don't agree with banning horses sold as meat, as domestic animals the product is controlled as is the harvesting of it... but the shark harvest has no control the uncontrolled hunt is destroying viability of shark population the oceans top apex predator...

[eyeball]

What did they ban? ALL shark fins, or just imported shark fins?

I ask because BC has a shark fishery that has recently received Marine Stewardship Council certification as sustainable. If the city bans al shark fins, this closes a potential market for this fishery for no reason...

As I understand it our fins have only been a break even proposition for dogfish processors in BC. The fact the fins could be sold were actually more of a selling point in getting certification given there was complete utilization of our fish. Even if the ban goes into effect the fins will still be used by being turned into liquid fertilizer (probably for grow-ops). I don't think the ban will affect our fishery or even our prices. I'm not hearing any concern from other fishermen or buyers that suggests otherwise.

This could probably be spun into even more good news for certifiers and a higher price for fishermen if we 'voluntarily' forgo selling fins.

The MSC certification by the way resulted in a .5 a lb increase in prices, which makes quite a difference. I'm looking forward to maybe landing a few more next year myself.

[MiddleClassCentrist]

not at all the same...I don't agree with banning horses sold as meat, as domestic animals the product is controlled as is the harvesting of it... but the shark harvest has no control the uncontrolled hunt is destroying viability of shark population the oceans top apex predator...

Yes. There is a clear difference.

I just meant in the 'feel good' aspect of it.

[blueblood]

I support this ban. I happen to think the ban is a year away to rid the supply they have now.

Half the workforce in my office is first gen Chinese and although they say they like the soup, they too are glad it will be banned. It seems dumb to them they people eat it.

I suspect it will curtail a lot of the import. Of course there will be underground spots who suppply the elders their treat, but it is a good step.

You mean they just catch the shark and chop the fin off? That's wasteful, at least butcher the whole shark and sell the meat at discount. There would be lots of people looking for cheap meat.

[Michael Hardner]

You mean they just catch the shark and chop the fin off? That's wasteful, at least butcher the whole shark and sell the meat at discount. There would be lots of people looking for cheap meat.

No, from my understanding (a description of a documentary from a friend) - they catch the shark, chop off the fins then release it to die.