14 DAY TRIAL // Starting July 1, 2014, it will be illegal to possess, sell, trade or distribute shark fins in New York.
This is because Governor Andrew Cuomo has decided to lend a helping hand to conservationists looking to safeguard the world's remaining shark population.
Long story short, he's just rolled out a new set of laws that ban shark fin trade.
Ecorazzi reports that, presently, New York is one of the world's largest markets for shark fins. Therefore, there is little doubt that these new laws will deliver a hard blow to said industry.
Commenting on Governor Andrew Cuomo's decision to outlaw New York's shark fin trade, Peter Knights, the current executive director of green group WildAid, argued as follows:
“New York is the last major market for shark fin in the US to close and this encourages China, which has banned shark fin from state banquets, to take further action to reduce demand for shark fin.”
“Finally some respite for beleaguered shark populations,” he added.
The same source informs us that, under the new legislation, people found guilty of trading shark fins in New York risk being sent to prison for 15 days.
What's more, they are eligible for fines of $100 (€75.3) per fin.