Buoyed by a broad base of public support and the apparent backing of other political stripes, Fin Donnelly introduced a private member's bill Thursday that seeks to ban the import of shark fins into Canada.
In an interview with the Coquitlam NOW Thursday morning, the New WestminsterCoquitlam MP said shark populations worldwide are threatened by the practice of shark finning, and upwards of 73 million sharks are killed for their fins annually.
"There's no country that I'm of aware that has national legislation. Canada could become a world leader in shark conservation if we were to adopt this legislation to protect sharks," he said.
The practice of shark finning involves removing the fin from a shark's body. After the fin's removal, the shark is thrown back into the ocean to die. The practice is already illegal in Canada, though there is no legislation preventing the importation.
Donnelly noted that the demand for shark fins is driven by cuisine - specifically shark fin soup, a traditional Chinese dish.
He suggested that 95 per cent of that demand comes from Hong Kong, mainland China and Thailand. By comparison, Canada, the U.S. and European Union nations represent the remaining five per cent of the worldwide demand.
"It seems to be that anywhere that there are sharks, they're being targeted unless they're protected," he said.
Donnelly's bill would amend the Fish Inspection Act, which includes provisions for jail terms or fines upwards of $100,000 for those in violation of the act.
"This does not tackle sale and use," Donnelly noted. "This does not address shark fin soup, which is a linkage that people are making. This addresses the shark fins coming into Canada only."
A recent Mustel poll commissioned by Donnelly's office suggested 84 per cent of respondents backed his bill across B.C. On top of that, he's had informal conversations with members of the Conservative, Liberal and Green parties who have expressed support.
Now Donnelly hopes that backing carries over into the House of Commons.
"It could take a number of years, it could take a number of months, it could be done next week if the government decides they want to work with us and make this happen," he said.
