The Editor:
Re: "Sharks finless, council spineless," Letters, July 18.
I am concerned the shark fin debate will divide our community along racial and cultural lines. It may turn ugly, as there was a report (Ming Pao Daily, July 11) that a shop selling shark fins was harassed and other shop owners refused to be interviewed in the fear that their shops would be harassed too. I have also received emails containing abusive and racist language.
I believe we share the common objective of conservation and ocean ecosystem protection; however, we have to find a "made in Richmond" solution which is reasonable, enforceable and without unintended negative consequences.
Port Moody has been credited as the first city in B.C. that has banned the shark fin trade. However, the ban is meaningless as the shark fin trade is non-existent in Port Moody. It would be as if Richmond passed a by-law prohibiting the hunting of polar bears in the city.
The possession and consumption of shark fin is not banned in Port Moody. Richmond city council is being asked to follow Toronto to ban the possession, consumption and sale of shark fin. This can be very problematic.
First, the shark fin trade is legal in Canada. Toronto city council is currently facing a legal challenge for exceeding its jurisdiction.
Secondly, if the possession of shark fin is banned in Richmond it can create unintended negative consequences for some people. The shops and restaurants with shark fins in stock (legally acquired) will suffer a loss.
They may seek indemnity from the city, which may amount to tens of thousands of dollars. Furthermore, how will the city enforce the bylaw against individuals who have shark fins at home?
It can also create a situation where a visitor who brings shark fin into Canada will have no problem going through customs at the airport because it is a legal commodity, but can be fined once he leaves the airport.
In the U.S., the shark fin trade is banned by the states (e.g. Washington, Oregon, California, Illinois and Hawaii), not municipal governments.
In the past three years, because of the success of education efforts by groups like Shark Truth, the consumption and sale of shark fins in local restaurants and shops have dropped by 60 to 90 per cent. A shop owner told me that he had not sold an ounce of shark fin in three months. This shows that education has been effective.
I hope that the issue around shark fin ban can be discussed in a calm and rational manner and stakeholders will be consulted before a decision is made, so that we can do the right thing in the right way.
Coun. Chak Au Richmond
