Anti shark fin rally in NYC
- 12 years ago
EDIT CONTAINS 4:3 MATERIAL
It's a Chinese delicacy that symbolises wealth and prosperity... it's also considered an animal rights violation that some say is killing off an entire species.
Shark fins -- often served in soup at Chinese weddings-- could be banned in New York state as early as this summer.
Supporters of legislation to stop the selling, trading and distribution of shark fins gathered on the steps of city hall in Manhattan on Thursday.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARGARET S. CHIN, NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, 1ST DISTRICT, MANHATTAN SAYING:
"Shark fin soup may be a time honoured tradition for a small group of people. But it has no place in today's society. I stand here today to say that I will not support the shark fin industry that thrives off cruelty and I call on the Asian American community in New York to stand with me."
Bolstered by economic growth in China, consumption of shark fins has increased in recent years...
Seen as a status symbol, it's often served at a son or daughter's wedding and can cost between 70 and 300 dollars per bowl.
Animal rights activists have long opposed shark fin consumption in part due to the way it's obtained... cutting off the shark's fin, then throwing it back into the sea to drown.
Activists say shark populations around the world are in rapid decline due to the enormous demand for the meat that most consumers say has little to no taste.
In New York, the bill to ban shark fins is widely supported.
Lawmakers in New York could vote on the bill as early as June.
If passed, New York state will join other West Coast states with shark fin bans already in place.
Julie Noce, Reuters
It's a Chinese delicacy that symbolises wealth and prosperity... it's also considered an animal rights violation that some say is killing off an entire species.
Shark fins -- often served in soup at Chinese weddings-- could be banned in New York state as early as this summer.
Supporters of legislation to stop the selling, trading and distribution of shark fins gathered on the steps of city hall in Manhattan on Thursday.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) MARGARET S. CHIN, NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, 1ST DISTRICT, MANHATTAN SAYING:
"Shark fin soup may be a time honoured tradition for a small group of people. But it has no place in today's society. I stand here today to say that I will not support the shark fin industry that thrives off cruelty and I call on the Asian American community in New York to stand with me."
Bolstered by economic growth in China, consumption of shark fins has increased in recent years...
Seen as a status symbol, it's often served at a son or daughter's wedding and can cost between 70 and 300 dollars per bowl.
Animal rights activists have long opposed shark fin consumption in part due to the way it's obtained... cutting off the shark's fin, then throwing it back into the sea to drown.
Activists say shark populations around the world are in rapid decline due to the enormous demand for the meat that most consumers say has little to no taste.
In New York, the bill to ban shark fins is widely supported.
Lawmakers in New York could vote on the bill as early as June.
If passed, New York state will join other West Coast states with shark fin bans already in place.
Julie Noce, Reuters