No more eating shark fin in Hawaii: 50th state becomes first in nation to ban shark fin

No more eating shark fin in Hawaii after new law

HONOLULU — People in Hawaii will no longer be able to eat $48-a-plate shark fin.

Gov. Linda Lingle on Friday signed a bill prohibiting the possession of shark fins starting July 1, 2011, in an attempt to prevent the overfishing and extinction of sharks. Hawaii is the first state in the nation to ban the delicacy.

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, including many who consider shark fin a delicacy and an important part of Chinese culture.

More than 13 percent of people in the state are Chinese or part Chinese.