We supported HB 324, An Act to Amend Title 7 of the Delaware Code relating to finfish, also known as the Shark Fin Ban. 

This bill would ban the possession, transport and sale of shark fins in Delaware. 

The populations of some shark species have declined by more than 90% in the past 50 years, and some have declined by as much as 97-99% in the last 35 years. The growing demand for shark fins, which are used to make a popular Asian dish called shark fin soup, is a major reason for the declines in shark populations.  Although federal law requires that all sharks caught in US waters are landed with fins attached, the law has a huge loophole – it permits importation of fins themselves. 

We are pleased to report that HB 324 passed the House on June 14 unanimously with a vote of 38 to 0.  However, the bill was not referred to the  Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Control Committee until June 28, too late in the session for the committee to hold a public hearing on the bill.   A Senate Natural Resources and Environmental Control Committee hearing is scheduled for HB 324 on July 11 at 11:00 am, in the 2nd floor Senate Hearing Room, Legislative Hall, Dover.