Shark Fin Smuggler Caught at Border

No more shark fin soup in California.

Now that the sale of shark fins for commercial purposes is illegal under both state and federal law, we'll likely see more incidents like this: A Mexican woman was stopped at the border in San Ysidro, California allegedly trying to smuggle shark fins into the U.S., reports UPI.

The 54-year-old woman was caught trying to smuggle 29 pounds of shark fins, reports the Los Angeles Times. The shark fins were seized by agents of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Shark's fin is a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, prized for its "ethereal, gelatinous texture," but the craze for it has helped reduce some shark populations to 10% of historical levels, while nearly a third of shark species are approaching extinction. Earlier this year, the California legislature passed the California Shark Protection Act, which prohibited the sale, consumption and trade of shark's fin.

Related:
Peninsula Hotel Will No Longer Serve Shark Fin Soup
Faux Shark Fin Soup: A Recipe From the Monterey Bay Aquarium
Jonathan Gold: Ban Shark Fin Soup

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Elina Shatkin is a staff writer at LA Weekly. Follow her at @elinashatkin or contact her at eshatkin@laweekly.com.