Hawaii's new law bans dining on shark fins
Source: Agencies |
May 31, 2010, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
The US$48-a-plate shark fin has been a favorite dish to celebrate 80th birthdays and fete out-of-town VIPs since Vienna Hou's Chinese restaurant opened 25 years ago.
But Kirin Restaurant customers won't be dining in that style starting July 1, 2011, when Hawaii becomes the first state in the United States to ban the possession of shark fins. The state is hoping to help prevent overfishing and extinction of sharks globally.
"Something will be missing," said Hou, who grew up watching her father sell shark fin as part of his seafood trading business in Hong Kong. "Decent Chinese restaurants - they all serve shark fin."
Governor Linda Lingle on Friday signed a bill prohibiting the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins. The bill passed the state House and Senate with broad support earlier this year.
The legislation generated some grumbling in Hawaii's sizable Chinese community - more than 13 percent of the state population is Chinese or part Chinese. Many consider shark fin a delicacy and vital part of Chinese culture.
The ban also comes as the tourism-dependent state expects a surge in affluent Chinese visitors.
Restaurateurs say about a dozen establishments in Hawaii serve shark fin. The flavor in shark fin dishes comes from the ingredients it's cooked with, either the rich sauce it's served with or the savory pork and chicken base in shark fin soup.
But Kirin Restaurant customers won't be dining in that style starting July 1, 2011, when Hawaii becomes the first state in the United States to ban the possession of shark fins. The state is hoping to help prevent overfishing and extinction of sharks globally.
"Something will be missing," said Hou, who grew up watching her father sell shark fin as part of his seafood trading business in Hong Kong. "Decent Chinese restaurants - they all serve shark fin."
Governor Linda Lingle on Friday signed a bill prohibiting the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins. The bill passed the state House and Senate with broad support earlier this year.
The legislation generated some grumbling in Hawaii's sizable Chinese community - more than 13 percent of the state population is Chinese or part Chinese. Many consider shark fin a delicacy and vital part of Chinese culture.
The ban also comes as the tourism-dependent state expects a surge in affluent Chinese visitors.
Restaurateurs say about a dozen establishments in Hawaii serve shark fin. The flavor in shark fin dishes comes from the ingredients it's cooked with, either the rich sauce it's served with or the savory pork and chicken base in shark fin soup.
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