UPIreports that Hawaii will become the first U.S. state to ban he sale, possession or distribution of shark fins. Restaurants will have to cease selling shark fin soup by July 2011. The bill was signed Friday by Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle.
The new ban orders state restaurants to stop selling shark-fin soup by July 2011, or face fines of up to $15,000 for a first offense, the Honolulu Star-Bulletin reported. The fines rise to $35,000 for a second offense, and rise to $50,000 and a year in jail for a third offense, the report said.
UPI says scientists estimate that 70 million sharks are killed annually for their fins. The ingredient is reportedly most popular in Asian markets.
