Toronto City Council Bans Shark Fin Soup

The delicacy will no longer be allowed to be sold in the country's largest city.

Toronto has become the latest municipality to ban the sale of shark fin soup after city council voted 38-4 to support a motion that took aim at the Chinese delicacy. Brantford, Oakville, and Mississauga had all previously banned the soup, which is typically served during special occasions such as at weddings and to observe Chinese New Year. While the shark fin doesn't actually have much taste, its texture is considered to be among the more luxurious offerings in Chinese cuisine. A bowl can go for as much as $100. It's just unfortunate that the soup also plays a role in the slaughter of more than 70 million sharks each year, many of which are left to die after having their fins cut off. And as apex predators in a number of ecosystems, their dwindling numbers are a cause for concern over the stability of the oceans' fish populations, so it's nice to see Toronto do its part. Council also passed motions to have Toronto ask both the provincial government and other cities in the GTA to consider banning shark products as well.

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