New York City has claimed the dubious distinction as the capital of the shark fin trade in the U.S. since California banned the industry Jan. 1.
But a bill re-introduced in the state Legislature could change all that.
The huge business surrounding the importing and distributing of shark fins is readily apparent in Chinatown
"You walk into these stores and you see the fins, from 10 inches to 30 inches, and you wonder, Where did they get these things? Patrick Kwan, director of Grassroots Organizing for the Humane Society of the United States, told the Daily News. DNA analysis of the fins have shown that theyre some of the most endangered species out there.
On Friday, Kwan led a reporter on a tour through a half-dozen dried-seafood stores, where scores of the fibrous, translucent fins were on display.
Theres pressure to serve shark fin soup at weddings and other special events, Kwan said. Its a status symbol.
At Chung Chou City on Mott St,. a gray 14-inch fin was sold for $569 per pound, while a 13-inch, fully processed fin went for $638 per pound.
A menu outside Ping Seafood Restaurant advertised three types of shark fin soup, ranging from $20 per person for broth with broken fins to $80 per person for a pricey whole fin soup.
A sign in Chinese at one shop explained that the fins would help improve the respiratory system, kidneys and other core organs, health claims that have never been scientifically proven. Sellers boast that shark fins cure just about every disease, Kwan said. Ironically, studies show that the fins store harmful toxins.
With prices soaring because of Chinas rising affluence, the market for the fins has helped push many shark species to the brink of extinction. That has prompted a bipartisan effort in the Legislature for New York to join Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, California and Illinois in the banning the possession, sale and distribution of the prized dorsal fins.
Assemblyman Alan Maisel (D-Brooklyn) and state Sen. Mark Grisanti (R-Buffalo) re-introduced a bill on March 6 that would ban what many Chinese residents feel is a cultural tradition. Kwan said the bill has 29 legislators signed up as sponsors.
City Council Member Margaret Chin, who represents Chinatown, says tradition is beside the point. I have no sympathy for that argument, Chin told The News. Who can afford shark fin soup? Not normal working people. So what traditions are we talking about?
Chin helped pass a city resolution supporting Maisel and Grisantis bill, and says that many in the Chinese community are starting to understand whats at stake.
I think the message is finally getting across, Chin said.
Advocates hope its not too late. The shark fin trade will end sooner or later, Kwan said. The only question is whether that will happen before some species go extinct.
