70 million sharks killed

It's Shark Week, and if you're watching the Discovery Channel programming, you've probably learned that while sharks can be ferocious, they're also in danger.

With over 70 million sharks killed each year to fuel a global demand for shark fins, an estimated 30 percent of open ocean sharks are threatened with extinction. That's why I hope you'll join me and urge California's State Senate to give critical protection to sharks by passing Assembly Bill 376: http://bit.ly/nQNeIS

With your help, over the past two decades Ocean Conservancy has successfully worked to pass laws that prohibit the brutal practice of shark finning in United States waters. To close the loophole that still allows for the import of fins, the states of Oregon, Washington, and Hawaii have all passed bans on the trade in shark fins — effectively ending the legal market for fins. With Assembly Bill 376, California now has a chance to join every other west coast state in prohibiting shark fin products – and since it is a main entry point to the US for millions of fins, this legislation represents an historic opportunity to save sharks.

Banning the shark fin trade in California would help to ensure the survival of shark populations across the world’s oceans. Not only will this legislation reduce global fishing pressure on sharks, but it will set a strong example for other states to follow. Your action today is critical in closing the loophole on shark fins in California once and for all.

Please sign our petition to let California Senators know that a healthy ocean depends on healthy shark populations--and do your part to help make sure that sharks worldwide can survive.

Sincerely,

Kaitilin Gaffney
Director, Pacific Program
Ocean Conservancy