House Passes the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Congressmen Michael McCaul (TX-10), the Lead Republican on the Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement after the passage of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act, H.R. 737.

"Today, Congress struck down animal cruelty by voting in favor of the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act. After sharks are captured, fisherman will remove their fins and release them back into the ocean to die. Sharks play a vital role in our marine ecosystem, serving as an indicator of the overall health of our ocean. The survival of these majestic creatures is of great importance and this bill will help ensure they are around for decades to come. I am proud to work alongside colleagues who have taken a stand against this atrocity today," said Congressman Michael McCaul (TX-10).

Each year, 73 million shark fins end up on the global market – the United States contributes to this demand by importing fins, with 540,000 pounds imported in 2017, from around the world.

"Sharks have existed for hundreds of millions of years on this planet, and yet these remarkable apex predators now face one of the biggest threats to their survival because of the demand for their fins," said Cathy Liss, president of the Animal Welfare Institute. "More than a quarter of shark species and their relatives are at risk of extinction. Passing legislation to clamp down on the global shark fin trade is essential if we are going to protect sharks and maintain functioning marine ecosystems. We are grateful to Representatives Sablan and McCaul for their steadfast leadership and urge the Senate to quickly pass the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act so that it can be signed into law."

H.R. 737 still allows for commercial and recreational fishing of sharks. This would just end the trade of shark fins—the leading cause of the inhumane practice of shark finning. Sharks play a vital role to our marine ecosystem, making their survival of paramount importance.