The Editor,
I've said for months that those cities still allowing the shark fin trade are violating existing laws, due to one third of the 450 shark species being endangered. Any fin could have come from an endangered species.
Now, we have proof. The Pew Environment Group, working with the Discovery Channel and Stony Brook University in New York, collected samples from restaurants nationwide as part of the largest survey of its kind.
Results of DNA analysis released today (Aug. 8) confirmed that many samples did come from endangered species, including the scalloped hammerhead shark, blueshark, bull shark and school shark.
Lawsuits could be filed against any such city. Should Richmond succumb to the legal threats by shark fin merchants citing "discrimination," it may have to face a much larger lawsuit, citing law and science.
Anthony Marr Founder and president Heal Our Planet Earth (HOPE)
