A ban on eating, owning, selling or advertising to sell shark fins within Calgary is a step closer after city council passed first reading of a new bylaw on October 15. The motion for such a ban was presented in July by Ald. Brian Pincott. Pincott said he had been approached by an anti-shark finning organization that explained to him the detrimental effects shark finning was having on world shark populations, motivating him to ban the product in the city.
At the time Pincott said he had received nothing but support for the ban, particularly from the Sien Lok Society, which promotes Chinese heritage in Calgary. However, since then there have been complaints that the concept of a bylaw banning shark fins came out of the blue and Chinese markets and restaurant owners said they were not consulted.
If passed, the bylaw would come into effect July 1, 2013. Fines of $300 to $10,000 would be imposed on those found in possession of shark fins.
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