Bill C-380: An Act to amend the Fish Inspection Act and the Fisheries Act (importation of shark fins)

C-380 First Session, Forty-first Parliament, 60 Elizabeth II, 2011 HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA BILL C-380 An Act to amend the Fish Inspection Act and the Fisheries Act (importation of shark fins) first reading, December 8, 2011 Mr. Donnelly 411408 SUMMARY This enactment amends the Fish Inspection Act to prohibit the importation of shark fins in Canada. It also amends the Fisheries Act to prohibit the practice of shark finning, thereby establishing a legislative prohibition. Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca 1st Session, 41st Parliament, 60 Elizabeth II, 2011 house of commons of canada BILL C-380 An Act to amend the Fish Inspection Act and the Fisheries Act (importation of shark fins) Preamble Whereas in 1994 the Canadian Government banned shark finning — namely, the practice of removing the fins from 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: SHORT TITLE Short title 1. This Act may be cited as the Ban on Shark Fin Importation Act. R.S., c. F-12 FISH INSPECTION ACT 2. The Fish Inspection Act is amended by adding the following after section 3: Prohibition 3.1 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), it is prohibited to import or attempt to import shark fins that are not attached to the rest of the shark carcass. Exception (2) A person may import shark fins that are not attached to the rest of the shark carcass only if the Minister has issued a permit to that person authorizing such an importation. Conditions for issuing permit (3) The permit referred to in subsection (2) may be issued only if the Minister is of the opinion that (a) the importation supports scientific research relating to shark conservation and conducted by qualified persons; and (b) the activity benefits the survival of the shark species or is required to enhance their chance of survival in the wild. Regulations (4) The Minister may, after consultation with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, make regulations respecting the issuance of the permit referred to in subsection (2) and the renewal, revocation, amendment and suspension of such a permit. R.S., c. F-14 FISHERIES ACT 3. The Fisheries Act is amended by adding the following after section 32: Prohibition 32.1 (1) No person shall engage in the prac-tice of shark finning. Definition of “shark finning” (2) In this section, “shark finning” means the practice of removing the fins from sharks and discarding the remainder of the sharks while still at sea. Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services Canada