State Rep. Feigenholtz Moves To Ban Shark Fin Sales In Illinois

It is easy to find shark
fin soup.  A yelp review search located three pages for
restaurants that serve shark fin soup in Chicago. In Chicago there are also dried food shops containing
hundreds of shark fins. The huge increase in
demand for shark fin soup primarily among Chinese in Asia, but also in the west and in other countries is threatening many
shark species with extinction. There is a large and relatively affluent
population in Illinois who is consuming shark fin soup.  Banning
the shark fin trade is not a westerner’s aversion to other culture’s
cuisine. Shark finning and shark overfishing is an ecological
catastrophe on the scale of elephant ivory. To protect these important
marine species we need to raise the awareness around the issue and stop
the consumption of an exotic luxury that is driving this unsustainable
trade. Sharks are important animals in the marine ecosystem and
removing them is having serious impacts on the balance and health of
those ecosystems. The point that this its not a big problem in Chicago
because its is not widespread is like saying slavery is a problem
because we only have a few slaves. To infer at an ecological problem is
racist is irresponsible. This same allegation has been easily deflected
by the Chinese American advocates in California, Hawaii, Oregon,
Washington where shark fin bans have passed, and championed in six other
states bordering the ocean. Moreover, foodies might be surprised that
new reports have detected mercury and harmful organic chemicals in shark
fin. As responsible stewards of the ocean and human health it behooves
us to make wise environmental choices and support sustainable
consumption that is healthy of humans and the oceans. Senator
Feigenholtz's proposed law HB 4119 to ban the shark fin trade is an
example of that stewardship. Lets keep the movement going here on
the Great Lakes and take it overseas to protect sharks. To learn more
about the bill, and participate in events in Chicago go to
www.sharkstewards.org.

Seriously, is this the *most* important issue facing the State of Illinois at this very moment?  I mean, I don't doubt this hurts the shark population... but there are literally millions of people in this state who are suffering from lack of jobs, good schools, healthcare, etc... and it's not as if state legislators have nothing else more pressing to consider, like fixing the mess of pensions, budget deficits and local government funding delays that threatens to sink Illinois' credit rating further.  But, I guess saving sharks in the Pacific Ocean is all we can expect Springfield to do this session.

Yes, since our legislators can only handle one thing at a time, we should make sure they solve the most important issue before they move on to anything else. You, however, have proposed six different issues. Which of these, therefore, is the most important? Which one should they solve with all the time they save from not debating shark fins?

Chicago has a large Asian-American population, therefore Illinois has a large Asian-American population.  Banning shark fin in the state could have a significant effect on the sales of shark fin, and help reduce the practice of one of the cruelest and most grotesque animal slaughters on the planet.

So, yes, if an Illinois legislator wants to spend 15 minutes introducing a bill that will cause little controversy, be passed very quickly, and help a worldwide problem, then I'm fine with it.

It's not like the legislators who are working on the issues you mentioned are actually accomplishing anything anyway.

I suspect that every legislator has one or two of these "little projects" that, cumulatively, suck up a lot of time and keep serious issues from being worked out.  But perhaps I'm wrong and we'll pass this little shark fin thing in 15 minutes and then the legislature will move on to Real Serious Work for the remaining 254 days 7 hours and 45 minutes of the working year.

It is also possible that they are representing their constituents!  I'm certain that all their constituents want those other big problems solved, but they have other concerns as well.  This may very well be one of them (I certainly support it) and Feigenholtz may simply be responding to that. 

My wife (Chinese) and I were in Chinatown last week. A few shops do sell it. It runs 275-350 dollars a pound. The restaurant owners were quoted saying there is not much call for it today.  It is usually served at wedding banquets.  We did not serve it at our banquet in Chicago. We served a similar dish that uses dried abalone (also quite expensive) instead of shark fin.

You wife's name is "Chinese." Very unusual name.

"One China" and variations of that are VERY common names in Taiwan -- especially among the first generation after 1949. 

Abalone is severely over harvested.

We are aware of that, too (now). With shark fins there is at least an issue of cruelty.  Hard to empathize with an invertebrate. 

I do hope our legislators can walk and chew gum at the same time.  The fact that such legislation is introduced does not mean other laws are being ignored or issues are not being addressed. So, I don't feel we shoudl shelve an easily addressed issue like this until we solve all the really big problems -- some of which people have been trying to solve fro along time, without success.  As for what to do about the economy, lack of jobs, schools, healthcare, etc..., what do you suggest? 

I'm sure everyone can make time for a concealed carry law, tho. Cuz, let's face it, that is really important. At least that is what I gather from innumerable posts by many people.

Oklahoma is introducing a ban on foods made with human embryonic stem cells. They are also on the forefront of banning Sharia law. Indiana is now voting on teaching Creationism in Science class. So, it ain't just Illinois or Dems.

Indiana also recently introduced a law that would make "inappropriate" or shoddy performances of The National Anthem criminal and subject to fines....lol.

They also are trying to drug test anybody who receives aid as well.

I can see the defense of the National Anthem law: patriotic outrage over the desecration of our national song. "But, but, ... it's the song of our Nation, dammit!"  So, that is OK. Nature is for hippies, so fuck them.

It's not really my job to suggest solutions to these problems.  That's presumably why we have an elected legislature, so that the population doesn't all have to convene on Springfield and hammer out solutions to things every year.

However, it pains me that the legislature cannot solve recurring problems ever... but *can* pass token legislation about worldwide problems.  Ban shark fins!  That's great!  Except that Illinois probably accounts for less than .01% of shark fin sales worldwide... so our legislature not only can't pass things to make actual conditions in Illinois better... but they also can pass things that are relatively pointless for the whole world.

Wasting time is still wasting time, whether you multitask it or work on it one-at-a-time.

But your definition of wasting time isn't the same as mine (I'm being very generalized here).

I think they wasted an enormous amount of time passing a resolution to protest the war in Iraq about 5-6 years ago.   It had nothing to do with what Illinois needed to accomplish, and was a meaningless gesture.  However, alot of people I know were happy with the gesture, and ultimately it didn't really take that much time.

At least banning shark fins (and goose liver) is an actionable idea that will directly impact their constituents (albeit a small percentage of them).

I love your positive grassroots attitude! Why bother to do anything unless you can show it will affect a statistically significant percentage of the population. Way to justify inaction.

OK is really trying to ban Sharia law?  Because there are SO many Muslims living in Oklahoma!

Read about it on The Google. The Supreme Court recently struck down their attempt, pointing out that those who proposed the law could not actually cite any examples where attempts to implement Sharia occurred.

Oh, Oklahoma.  We keep you around to make states like Kentucky look sane.