Two weeks ago today, on World Oceans Day, the U.S. Senate took a major step in the right direction for our planet, passing The Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act (S. 1106). The Act is now a part of a larger legislative package, the United States Innovation and Competition Act (S. 1260). If this sees success in the House, it will be illegal to buy, sell or transport shark fins or any product containing shark fins, except for certain dogfish fins, with an exception for shark fins lawfully taken with a license or permit under certain circumstances.

Stefanie Brendl, Shark Allies' Exec. Director, told EcoWatch, "This bill is necessary and represents definite progress. We wholeheartedly support its passage and ask everyone in the conservation community to do the same... Most legislation is not perfect, and compromises are often necessary to move the needle... No single piece of legislation will be the end-all solution... Anything that slows down the fin trade will potentially help save millions of sharks. A key element will be if and how this will be enforced."