Shark fins are about to be banned in California. You can help finalize the deal.

Shark finning, the wasteful practice of catching sharks, cutting off their fins and tossing them back into the ocean to die, is about to be dealt a blow by the CA state legislature, and you can help make sure it happens. Shark finning is already banned in US waters but enforcing laws governing fishing practices is incredibly difficult at sea, hence the existence of things like Whale Wars, so lawmakers have turned their attention toward land, pushing a new law that would ban the sale of shark fins in California. The bill (AB 376) was already passed by the assembly, and goes before the state senate for final vote Thursday.

For those coming a little late to the conversation, populations of sharks, keystone species critical to the balance of marine ecosystems, are in serious decline worldwide, and finning is exacerbating the problem.

Click here to send an email to your state senators in support of this bill.

Let’s show our state legislators, we are paying attention. San Francisco assemblywoman Fiona Ma, Monterey Park assemblyman Mike Eng, and Senator Ted Lieu are opposing the bill on the basis that it is unfair to their constituents who are fans of Cantonese culinary creations, shark fin prized among them. Contact and encourage them to support the shark fin ban instead of opposing it. Your support and engagement will make the difference.