The City of New Westminster's plan to ban shark fin products in the Royal City has the support of some local residents.
Following Monday night's public hearing, council unanimously supported a shark fin regulation bylaw that will prohibit the sale, trade or distribution of shark fins or products derived from shark fins in New Westminster.
A Victoria Hill resident encouraged the city to ban the sale of shark fin products in New Westminster, voicing concerns about the "absolutely disgusting" practice of finning.
In addition to concerns about the environmental impacts of killing millions of sharks annually, many people have voiced concern about the practice of cutting off sharks' fins and throwing the fish back into the ocean to die.
"New Westminster should be a leader in this," the man told council at Monday night's public hearing.
Several B.C. municipalities have already approved bylaws that ban the sale of shark fin products, and others, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond and Surrey, are expected to consider the matter in 2013.
"Our sharks are being finned to extinction," said resident Melissa Balfour. "It is very inhumane what they are doing."
Balfour told council that she would be "so proud" if New Westminster led in the movement to ban the sale of shark fin products.
According to a recent staff report to council, shark fins are primarily used to make shark fin soup in Asian restaurants, but other products are also available such as dried, canned, cooked, wet and frozen form at some markets and health stores. Staff stated that one local restaurant serves items containing shark fins, but management told the city that the ban wouldn't have a major impact on its business.
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