Ban Shark Fins In Canada

Dear Prime Minister  and  Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne


Please ban the import and export of shark fin in Canada to protect Canada’s oceans and help address the worldwide decline in sharks caused by the devastating shark fin trade. 

A ban is needed for the following reasons:

 
- The latest science confirms that sharks are vital for healthy oceans, including Reef health. As apex predators, sharks maintain a critical balance in ocean ecosystems. 

- The international trade in shark fin is driving the fishing of endangered sharks and the global decrease in shark populations. 

- Canada still imports shark fin from places like Hong Kong and Indonesia that do not comprehensively regulate harvesting of sharks and unsustainable and barbaric practices like live shark finning. 

- Sharks are highly vulnerable to over-fishing, due to their slow growth and relatively low rates of reproduction. 

Prime Minister, for these reasons I call on the Government to ban shark fin import and export as a matter of urgency. The import and export of shark fin can be banned simply and legally under Canadian law via amendments to the customs regulations.

With such a large ocean territory, Canada must show leadership on this issue.