Practice of Shark Finning Outlawed in Mass.

Law bans possession, sale or distribution of shark fins

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick has signed a bill aimed at protecting sharks.

The law will ban the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins in the Bay State.

Advocates for the ban had said shark fins are often removed for use in soup while the rest of the shark is thrown back in the sea, still alive.

Violators will be forced to pay a fine of up to $1,000 and could face up to 60 days in jail.

Licenses, however, could still be issued to possess shark fins for scientific research. Additionally, the possession and sale of fins from several locally caught species, such as skate, smooth hound sharks and spiny dogfish is not prohibited.

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