Star candidate Christy Clark welcomes Michelle Stilwell to fold. PAGE 19 Classical calling Pianist known worldwide for performing Chopin. PAGE 27 Medal missed VIU Mariners finish fourth at national championship. PAGE 7
Playoff bound PAGE 26
www.nanaimobulletin.com
TUESDAY, MARCH 12, 2013
VOL. 24, NO. 134
MP doesn’t back bill to prohibit shark fin imports BY TOBY GORMAN THE NEWS BULLETIN
James Lunney, Conservative MP for Nanaimo-Alberni, says he won’t vote in favour of proposed legislation that would ban the importation of shark fins to Canada, but that he does abhor the act of shark finning itself. Fin Donnelly, NDP MP for New Westminster-Coquitlam, has proposed a private member’s bill, Bill C-380, to prohibit the importation of shark fins to Canada in an effort to protect endangered and threatened species of sharks. MPs will vote on the second reading of the bill on March 27. Lunney said he opposes the bill for technical reasons. “The reason I won’t support the bill is because it’s misdirected in terms of the technical aspects of the bill,” said Lunney. “It amends a law that doesn’t exist anymore. The Fish Inspection Act was repealed.” Shark finning has been banned in Canadian waters since 1994, but countries like China, Spain, Costa Rica, Japan and Taiwan have no laws prohibiting finning, and because of lax Canadian import laws many shark fins from endangered species make
it onto the shelves of Canadian retailers, most notably in Vancouver and Richmond. “This practice which we all abhor has been banned in Canada since 1994. We’re concerned about the practice and we’re working on a solution with our international partners,” said Lunney. Last October, the Vancouver Animal Defence League, along with CTV, carried out an investigation that revealed endangered shark species are being sold in the Lower Mainland. Investigators purchased more than $2,000 worth of fins in Vancouver and Richmond and had each fin’s DNA tested at a lab in Guelph, Ont. Results showed that 86 per cent of the samples tested came from shark species considered endangered or vulnerable. Eight out of the 59 samples came from scalloped and great hammerhead sharks, both of which are on the verge of extinction. Nanaimo resident Marley Daviduk, who has been working with Vancouver Animal Defence League to have shark fin imports banned, said she is concerned about Lunney’s opposition to having shark fin imports banned. ◆ See ‘FEW’ /3
CHRIS BUSH/THE NEWS BULLETIN
Curious component Benjamin Harder, Mountain View Elementary School student, tries to identify an item he found on Departure Bay Beach Friday. Harder was with about 20 students picking up garbage for the Nanaimo Science and Sustainability Society’s Trash to Treasure program. Trash, such as the severely corroded valve Harder discovered, will also be collected from the Maffeo Sutton and Neck Point parks and turned into art with help from local artists.
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