California Shark Fin Ban Awaits Governor’s Signature

A bill in California that would prevent the sale, possession, and distribution of shark fins has passed the Senate floor and now waits for the Governor’s signature.

The bid to ban shark fin soup in California was one of several bills to land on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk before the end of the Legislative year on Friday. The movement was met with significant opposition in its journey, as Senators –many of whom are of Chinese decent- argued the bill to save only the shark’s fins was discriminatory.

"I think what is most insidious about this particular bill is that it sends a very bad message,” said Sen. Leland Ye, D- San Francisco, “not only to us in California but to the rest of the world that discrimination against Chinese Americans is OK.”

The bill passed with a final vote of 25-9. All that is left in the way is the cursive lettering reading “Jerry Brown.”