California's Shark Fin Ban Goes Into Effect Monday
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)— California's ban on the importation of shark fins goes into full effect on Monday.
A lawsuit to overturn the ban has a hearing before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals on August 14th, but until then community leaders in San Francisco's Chinatown were urging compliance with the law.
California's Shark Fin Ban Goes Into Effect Monday
"Anyone who has fins on or after July 1st is subject to a $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail," said attorney Joe Breall, who represents the plaintiffs in the lawsuit to overturn the ban.
"We are all law-abiding citizens and we believe in the law. But when there's a law, it has to be fair and just," said Chan.
Environmental groups support the ban, saying that finning decimates the shark population and threatens the ecosystem.
(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)