Thursday

Costa Rica's Shark Finning Ban Signed By President Chinchilla

Shark fins are in high demand in Asian countries such as China and Japan, where shark fin soup is considered a delicacy and is also served at many Chinese weddings. Environmental activists have long campaigned against shark finning for many years. They say it is cruel, and a threat to sea life and the preservation of the oceans as the shark is an important apex predator.

On Wednesday of this week, Costa Rica passed a blanket ban on shark finning. President Laura Chinchilla signed an executive order banning shark finning in the Central American nation's coastal waters, closing loopholes in an existing law passed in 2001. Shark finning is the fishing practice in which the fins are sliced off sharks. They are still alive and then thrown back into the ocean only to die a horrible death.

President Chinchilla was quoted during a signing ceremony in Manuel Antonio National Park on the country's Pacific coast as saying that, "Costa Rica may set an example to the world when it comes to environmental protection, but it must be noted that we had a significant lag when it comes to protecting the oceans. "

The new law amends previous legislation that outlawed shark finning but continued to allow the transportation and importation of fins from other countries. The penalties under the ban include fines and the cancellation of fishing licenses for those who are caught finning sharks. Catching sharks for food, as a means of subsistence, however, will continue to be allowed.

President Chinchilla also announced an investment of up to $15 million in a new radar system that will allow authorities to better identify boats breaking the ban. Congratulations to Costa Rica for taking a big step in putting an end to this cruel and wasteful fishing practice.


VIDEO

Responses to "Costa Rica Fully Bans Shark Fin Trade (Video)"

  1. Anonymous says:

    Oh, such great news ..thank you for stopping this cruelty..Our prayers have been answerd...Teresaxxx

  2. Anonymous says:

    GOD BLESS THIS WONDERFUL MAN!! I AM AN ANIMAL ACTAVIST AND WOLVES AND SHARKS ARE MY TOP PRIORITY!!! THANK YOU SO SO MUCH FOR EVERYTHING YOU ARE DOING FOR THE SHARKS!!! THEY ARE A PART OF THE CIRCLE OF LIFE AND WE NEED SHARKS TO HAVE HEALTHY OCEANS!!! I STAND BESIDE YOU NOW AND ALWAYS!!! AGAIN THANK YOU!!!!!!!!! ANGIE B< MISSISSIPPI UNITED STATES

  3. Anonymous says:

    This is a vindication of Paul Watson! Is he still going to be hounded by Interpol and the German authorities on behalf of Costa Rica shark finners?

  4. Wow I knew that taking fins from sharks was occurring and while I never agree with this, I had no clue they were cutting off their fins and dumping them overboard... I thought at least they were using all parts of the shark. I have been a vegetarian for 12 years so I don't eat or buy any animal or animal by product due to cruelty toward animals but I do not presume to understand other people's access to food. There is food sources and there is cruelty and abuse and THIS is the latter... Wow.

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