Chinese Government Approves Shark Fin Ban

China’s State Council announced that it will no longer serve shark fins in meals at any government functions. Humane Society International strongly approved the measure that the Chinese government has put forth, calling it “a watershed moment for the global movement to protect sharks.” HSI credits Legislator Ding Liguo for drafting the measure and moving it forward. China is currently the largest purveyor of shark fins for the country’s popular shark-fin soup. Each year, 73 million sharks are killed for their fins, and with China reducing its consumption on a government level, this step will help preserve oceanic populations. China joins Taiwan, which banned shark finning completely, in strides toward ocean and shark conservation.