This enactment amends the Fisheries Act to prohibit the practice of shark finning.

It also amends the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to prohibit the importation in Canada of shark fins that are not attached to the shark carcass.

Preamble

Whereas in 1994 the Canadian Government banned shark finning — namely, the practice of removing the fins from live sharks and discarding the remainder of the sharks while at sea — in Canadian fisheries waters and with respect to Canadian licensed vessels fishing outside of Canada’s exclusive economic zone;

Whereas Canadians are increasingly aware of the devastating effect of the continuing practice of shark finning and the resulting decline in shark species in Canadian waters and around the world and support measures to stop this practice and to ensure the responsible conservation, management and exploitation of sharks;

And whereas the importation of shark fins is not supportable in the face of the dramatic decline in shark species;

Now, therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Prohibition

32 (1) No person shall engage in the practice of shark finning.

Definition of shark finning

(2) In this section, shark finning means the practice of removing the fins from live sharks and discarding the remainder of the sharks while at sea.

Importation of shark fins

(1.‍1) No person shall, except under and in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to subsection 10(1.‍1), import, or attempt to import, into Canada shark fins that are not attached to a shark carcass.

(2) Section 10 of the Act is amended by adding the following after subsection (1):