Article Summary:

The Center for Oceanic Awareness, Research and Education (COARE) reports that Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber signed House Bill 2838 into law yesterday, making it an offense to possess, sell, trade, or distribute shark fins in Oregon. Oregon’s ban complements similar legislation signed into law on 12 May 2011 by Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, as well as pending legislation in California, which passed California’s State Assembly, and is currently being heard in the Senate. Oregon’s new ban is also preceded by legislative bans already adopted by the State of Hawaii, Guam, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Fiji, and the Bahamas.