27 replies to this topic

[gina]

Legislators in California are trying to pass a bill which would outlaw the sale of shark fins in the state. Unfortunately, the bill has outspoken opposition in the form of Sen. Leland Yee, who sees it as an attack on Asian culture. I know I am preaching to the choir here when I say finning really needs to be outlawed, so if there is any way you can help support this bill, please do!

More info is here: http://www.wildaid.o...p...1&TERID=434

-Gina

[Drew]

Dr Yee is a politician working to get the Mayor seat. He's protecting his political base which is Chinese. He's right in the sense that it is a cultural dish that is being banned. If this were a caviar ban, there'd be a riot yet very few caviar sources are sustainable. However, his sole argument that the activity is sustainable is wrong and needs to be shown that. The race card is about the only play proponents can use since data doesn't support their sustainable argument.
He's fought off other bans including frog and turtle. If it's "sustainable," the only other argument is cruelty. And that's subjective and cultural.
Still, Bay area folks should let Yee know that that the data he has is wrong and he should support the ban until populations are rebuilt. That's if he wants to be Mayor. Here is a contact page:

Sen Leland Yee contact page

To support the Assembly Bill, AB 376, write to your district's assembly member and tell them to support the bill. Here's a list of assembly members:
http://www.assembly....ameset7text.htm

If you don't know your district, then check on the side frame of that page under "Find my District".

California has a big Chinese population, so this will be significant. Nothing compared to getting an Asian country to do it, but still significant nonetheless.

Also write Senators Boxer and Fienstein and Governor Brown to support the bill:

Senator Fienstein contact

Senator Boxer contact

Governor Brown contact

[gina]

Excellent, thanks for the contact info, Drew.

I'm in SF and will NOT be voting for Yee for mayor!

-Gina

[Drew]

I suggest you tell him you would if he changes his stance

[adamhanlon]

Senator Yee's inbox was hard to access, but Sharksavers have found another email:

Senator Yee

Please email him expressing your displeasure at him playing local politics with a global issue. You don't have to be living in California to make this point!

Adam

[derway]

Thanks you all! I just wrote all 5 - gov brown, both senators, my assembly member - Anthony Portantino.

Why not write our US reps too? Think I will.

Thanks!
Don

[xariatay]

If you have a Facebook account, Please LIKE this FB page Chinese United in Support of CA Shark Fin Ban

[allen]

BTW, Disney decided not to go head with serving shark fin soup at Disney Hong Kong because they could not find a sustainable source.

http://news.bbc.co.u...fic/4622097.stm

Disney made the point that they did not succumb to outside pressure but only that they did not have a sustainable source.


BTW Yee can not be all that bad considering he is taking on Rush:

http://blogs.sfweekl...ers_boycott.php

Edited by allen, 02 March 2011 - 11:54 AM.

[gina]

This hit the news yesterday: http://www.sfgate.co...n...87736&tsp=1

San Francisco's interim mayor admits he eats shark fin soup, and not surprisingly, does not support the proposed California ban on shark fins. It sure sounds like he cares only about himself, doesn't it? Yet he claims the ban is "anti-cultural" despite the fact it was co-written and supported by Asian-Americans.

I will be writing him to attempt to get him to see the real reasons for the ban, and I encourage you to politely do so as well.

Mayor Ed Lee
City Hall, Room 200
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

or http://www.sfmayor.o...dex.aspx?page=7

-Gina

[gina]

Some good news: Bill AB 376 outlawing the possession and sale of shark fins in California passed through the Assembly with a vote of 60-3! But the battle is not over yet; the bill will be going before the California State Senate sometime this summer for what I believe is the final vote. Senator Leland Yee has been an outspoken critic of the bill and we need to let him (as well as the other senators) know how important it is for this bill to pass. PLEASE take some time and contact your senator, or better yet all the senators, and urge them to support AB 376.

Here is a list of all California State Senators: http://senate.ca.gov/senators

Take action for the sharks!

Thanks,
Gina

[AMW]

Fantastic news!

AB 376, the bill to make possession, sale, and trade of shark fins illegal
in California, has PASSED through the California Assembly just this
afternoon!!!

The bill will have to wind its way through
the Senate next. We face some stiff opposition in the Senate, but
we are confident that with the public making sure their
representatives know that their constituents want the bill passed,
we will gain success there as well.

Topics merged: Admin

[xariatay]

Voting for the bill has been postponed to 28 June & it seems like the opposition to the ban is winning! Please helo get it through!

From this Chinese online news http://dailynews.sin...4342525798.html it says "絶大部分是主流白人，從支持團體名單看，和去年要求禁止食用青蛙、烏龜是同一駁人。" Supporters of the bills are mostly main-stream whites, from the namelist, they are the same as the ones that asked for frog and turtle ban last year...

I am Chinese & I support the ban of shark fin! It is not racist to love sharks! Chinese (& citizen) of the world are supporting. https://www.facebook...155391454517610

This is how you can help, especially if u are staying there!
https://www.facebook...150211534038581
http://www.sharksave...ill-ab-376.html

[furby076]

I am not a CA resident so my opinion is invalid to their laws, but I did click on the other link and signed that link to support sharks.

[xariatay]

I wrote to the Senators & told them that we won't be visiting our dear friends in SFO, if they don't pass AB376... (anything is worth a try!)

For those who can make it to Sacramento:
"AB 376 will be up for a vote on Tuesday June 28 at 9:30 AM in Capitol Room 112.
Please plan on arriving much earlier to ensure your place in the room--8:30 AM would not be too early..."

https://www.facebook...245086585507813

Please, the opposition is well financed, so your support is vital!

[Waynegor]

To all: First of all, we Chinese American support conservation and condemn cruelty just like you. Our opposition to AB376 has nothing to do with a bowl of shark fin soup or the restaurant businesses. We believe majority of the Chinese Americans may have shark fin soup not more than once or twice a year and don't really care much about it. However, shark fin soup, in most people's eyes, is associated with Chinese. Because of that, Chinese around the world are now being demonized as uncivilized, cruel and anti-conservation. In realty, Chinese is most conservation, we consume all parts of the fish, head to tail, not just the fin. We are being blamed for the depletion of shark population. However, the truth is that shark is depleting, just like any wildlife around the world, due to the demand for shark meat, liver and skin, not just the fin.

Most Chinese American will support 100% ban on all shark harvest, not just ban on the fin!

The organization against AB376 are recently formed, and fund by donation from just average Chinese American.
The main reason for these action is not to be demonized!

Edited by Waynegor, 28 June 2011 - 04:21 PM.

[gina]

Waynegor,

You do not speak for all Asian-Americans. Please read this article by Judy Ki, co-chair of the Asian Pacific American Ocean Harmony Alliance:

http://www.sacbee.co...d-the-race.html


In related news, AB 376 passed the California Natural Resources Committee this morning by a unanimous vote (with two abstaining). Next it goes to the Senate Appropriations Committee for a full Senate vote. I think that it the last step before it is turned into law.

If you live in California it's not to late to encourage your Senator to support the bill! Here is a list of all California State Senators: http://senate.ca.gov/senators

-Gina

[xariatay]

Most Chinese American will support 100% ban on all shark harvest, not just ban on the fin!

Hmph, why don't you first support the ban on fins trade, then work to support 100% ban all shark harvest? The sharks & marine ecosystem will thank you for your strong & unwavering support!

[Waynegor]

Give me the logic why others can eat the shark steak, and Chinese American can not eat the fin!

Typical just shift the blame on some else and have no heart to fix a problem!

[xariatay]

Give me the logic why others can eat the shark steak, and Chinese American can not eat the fin!

Typical just shift the blame on some else and have no heart to fix a problem!

To me, the ones who are working hard to get the ban passed, are the ones who have a heart!

Unlike you, I wish the legislators in my country have the guts to even propose a fin trade ban!

[Waynegor]

To me, the ones who are working hard to get the ban passed, are the ones who have a heart!

Unlike you, I wish the legislators in my country have the guts to even propose a fin trade ban!

Can't give me a good reason, right!
To demonize a minority group will not solve the issues, my way or highway approach will create more resistance!
Only work hard in the right way will solve the issues!