Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy in some Asian cultures, and fisherman make tons of money selling the main ingredient.
Lawmakers are hoping to curb the practice of finning sharks at sea and leaving them to die, given that they can't swim or move without without their fins.
While the practice is obviously cruel, those who want tougher consequences for those who do it say finning also contributes to imbalance of marine ecosystems and adversely impacts tourism.
The practice is already illegal at the state and federal level, but this bill, sponsored by State Sen. Travis Hutson, R-Elkton, would boost the fine from $500 to $4,500 and would potentially carry with it a six-month suspension of the offender's saltwater fishing license. Subsequent offenses would carry with them a $9,500 fine and yearlong license suspension.
The House will now have to adopt their version of the measure before it goes to the governor's desk; that version was sponsored by State Rep. Joe Gruters, R-Sarasota.
While the measures have bipartisan support and would send a message about lawmakers' priorities when it comes to humane treatment of important marine creatures, environmentalists say it doesn't go far enough. After all, it would not be an outright ban on the sale or trade of shark fins. Fishermen could still kill a shark at sea and once ashore would still be able to sever their fins and sell them at a premium.
Cutting of the supply, activists reason, would help to end the practice outright, which environmentalists say ought to be the goal here.
This article appears in Apr 20-27, 2017.