Hawaii bans shark fins

Not only is it going to be illegal to possess shark fins after July in Hawaii, but almost more importantly it will be illegal to land shark fins at Hawaii ports, thus taking Hawaii out of any export equations. 

This law had a lot of debate from ethnic Chinese in Hawaii who pointed out that sharks were part of culture.  I believe that this is true, but it is also true that shark fin consumption is a cultural tradition carried out by those who could afford them and prove to others that they could afford the luxurious indulgence of shark fin.  At what point does tradition become hegemonic and elitist?  And never mind that sharks are viewed as ancestral gods (aumakua) in Hawaii. 

Sharks are over-fished and many shark species are endangered.  Sharks are being killed for their fins at a rate of 89 million per year, and over 30% of open ocean sharks are in danger of extinction.  That is the situation.  If we continue to allow the tradition of shark consumption by millions of wealthy people, we may not have to worry about this tradition for much longer.

The only solution of banning shark fins until the population can overcome their dire situation seems so simple and logical to me.  Why is it even up for debate?  Anyone care to enlighten me?

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