Support needed: California shark fin bill

Posted on February 15, 2011
Written by: Shark Savers

On February 14, Assemblymembers Paul Fong (D-Cupertino) and Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) unveiled landmark legislation, Assembly Bill (AB) 376, to ban the shark fin trade and shark finning, a process where the fins and tails are cut from living sharks, and the remainder of the fish, which is often still alive, is thrown back into the ocean. You can download the bill, here: California_ab_376_bill_20110214_introduced.pdf

Please show that you support this bill by calling or sending letters or emails to:

1. Show support to the bill sponsor,
   Asssemblymember Paul Fong, contact info, below.
2. Show opposition to the position of the bill's opponent
   Senator Yee, contact info, below. Please be respectful, but it's important to send him a message, as well.
   Note: Senator Yee's official email box may be full or closed. Try this one, as well:Leland@LelandYee.com
3. California residents: Send a letter or email of support to your Senator and Assemblymember. Find your Assemblymember here. Find your Senator, here.
4. Organizations providing official support for the bill: Letters should be addressed to Asm Fong on organization’s official letterhead. Include the bill number and an express the desire to be listed in support of AB 376. Copies of these letters will be given to committee consultants analyzing the bill at the various stages of consideration and organizations will be listed in the formal bill analysis in support of the bill.

Here are addresses and phone numbers for the Assemblymember Fong (for) and Senator Yee (opposed):

Here is a sample email or letter. Please personalize it:

Subject: In support AB 376 Related to Shark Fins

The Honorable Assemblymember Fong,

As an advocate for the health of our oceans and out planet, I respectfully submit this testimony in support of AB 376. Sharks are vital to maintaining balance in our oceans, and the unsustainable trade in shark fins is driving many shark species to the brink of extinction. Tens of millions of sharks are killed annually, mostly for their fins to be used in shark fin soup.

California now has the opportunity to take a stand against this destruction. Please vote in support of AB 376. The world and future generations will thank you.

Best Regards,

Thanks for taking a stand and participating in this historic legislation in California!