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Shark Fin Ban Proposed By California Lawmakers

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Less than one week after Lunar New Year, California legislators have introduced a bill to ban the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins used in a traditional soup.

If successful, the proposed ban announced Monday, would follow a similar measure enacted in Hawaii last year. Oregon and Washington are also considering similar legislation.

Shark fins are used to create a luxury Chinese soup that can sell for as much as $40 a bowl.

Supporters of the ban say shark finning is a cruel practice in which fishermen slice the shark's fin off while the animal is still alive and then throw the shark back in the sea to die.

Assemblyman Paul Fong, D-Cupertino, introduced the legislation with colleague Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael.

(© Copyright 2010 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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