Florida Passes New Bill to Stop Further Sales of Shark Fins

Each year, some 100 million sharks are caught only to have their fins sliced from their bodies before they are unceremoniously dumped back in the ocean to die. It's a practice called shark finning, and while it has been condemned and even outlawed in many places, it nevertheless continues, driven by the hefty price the fins command in parts of Asia.

The practice of shark finning was banned in the United States in 2000, and a number of state law prohibit the mass capture of sharks for the purpose of keeping only the fins. Sadly, the true results of these bans are not fully effective, due to a number of loopholes still in place. One loophole in particular allows legal importation of fins through Florida ports by countries that don’t have bans in place — such as China, Indonesia, and Japan.

Fortunately, this loophole may soon be closed. On March 8th, 2020, Florida’s House of Representatives moved forward in passing the Senate version of bill SB 680, which outlaws the import and export of fins to or from Florida. This is seen as significant, as it is a recognition of the value of maintaining a viable shark population.

definned shark
definned shark

Florida is a world-renowned destination for diving, snorkeling, and other ocean-based recreation to which businesses directly, as well as indirectly involved depend on vibrant reefs and healthy fish populations. Sharks are important to the state's dive tourism industry. Independent studies showed that shark-related dives in Florida generated more than $221 million in revenue and fueled more than 3,700 jobs in 2016. By contrast, the total U.S. shark fin export market was worth a fraction of that at an estimated value of $1.03 million in 2015.

In short, a live shark, over its lifetime, is worth much more economically to everyone in Florida than the one-time value of fins from a dead shark. But the value of sharks goes far beyond the basic economics of diving and tourism as their role in the ocean’s ecosystem is essential. Without our top predators, the ocean’s balance is threatened; and without balance, Florida’s ocean ecosystems degrade. This affects our reefs, our fishing, and our water quality which in turn impacts every single person living in the state.

Snorkelers swimming with lemon sharks 4 miles offshore of Florida's southeast coast.
Snorkelers swimming with lemon sharks 4 miles offshore of Florida's southeast coast.

Historically, Florida's relatively robust shark fishery in its own coastal waters along with its close proximity to international waters have made the state a major focal point for shark fins imports and exports in the United States. Although the House passed the Senate version of a bill SB 680 (also called the Kristin Jacobs Bill), which outlaws the import and export of fins to or from Florida, the resulting legislation did include one amendment added for domestic fishermen.

Pinned in by Rep. Tobin Overdorf, the added amendment permits the “sale of shark fins by any commercial fisherman who harvested sharks from a vessel holding a valid federal shark fishing permit on January 1, 2020” and “The export and sale of shark fins by any wholesale dealer holding a valid federal Atlantic shark dealer permit on January 1, 2020.”

During the push for the bill, Florida’s commercial fishing industry staunchly expressed concerns that an all-inclusive ban would hurt their businesses. They argued that the sale of fins procured from sharks caught for other legal uses should still be permitted.

Environmental advocacy group Oceana’s deputy vice president Beth Lowell finds this problematic, as Overdorf’s amendment goes against the original intent of the bill. She adds that fins from Florida’s waters will still find their way into the global trade.

“After passage through six House and Senate committees and subcommittees and a near-unanimous vote (the bill passed 119-1, with Rep. Anthony Sabatini the sole dissenter) in the Florida Senate, in the eleventh hour, the Florida House has weakened the bill beyond recognition,” Lowell says.

A similar sentiment was expressed by Rep. Kristin Jacobs in some of her final remarks on the House floor. She noted that a lot of traffic involving the shark fin trade is ongoing through Miami due to their value on the black market.

While this bill may not be perfect in prohibiting the complete import, export, and sale of shark fins in the State of Florida, it still should be seen as good news, as it greatly restricts the practice. Now it is up to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to evaluate the potential economic impacts to the commercial shark fishing industry in the state, which we hopefully will see when the bill’s effective date kicks in October 1st, 2020

@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
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@timpell49
#AskMark Mark great video love your content I recently had my cylinder hydro tested it was filled with air how long can you keep the air in the cylinder before you use it .Also dive shop can drain the air and fill with nitrox?
#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

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YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS41ODI2RjhGOTVBODI2NDE5

How Long Can You Keep Air in a Cylinder? #AskMark #scubadiving

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00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

Full List of Dive Shows with Links:
https://divernet.com/scuba-diving/your-worldwide-dive-show-guide-for-2025/

JANUARY 18-26: Boot Düsseldorf (International Boat Show)
FEBRUARY 1-2: Duikvaker
FEBRUARY 21-23: European Dive Show (EUDI)
FEBRUARY 21-23: Diving Resort Travel (DRT) Show, Malaysia
MARCH 1-2: GO Diving Show (The UK Dive Show)
MARCH 15-16: ADEX Ocean Festival / OZTek Australia
MARCH 28-30: Mediterranean Diving Show
APRIL 4-6: Asia Dive Expo (ADEX)
MAY 22-25: Thailand Dive Expo (TDEX)
MAY 31 – JUNE 1: Scuba Show
JUNE 13-15: Malaysia International Dive Expo (MIDE)
SEPTEMBER 6-7: GO Diving ANZ Show
OCTOBER 17-19: Diving Talks
NOVEMBER 11-14: DEMA Show

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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.
00:00 Introduction
01:35 Scuba.com Ad
02:35 Duikvaker
03:15 EUDI
04:23 DRT
05:04 GO Diving Show UK
06:24 ADEX OZTek
07:06 Mediterranean
07:34 ADEX
08:21 TDEX
08:51 Scuba Show
09:36 MIDE
10:06 GO Diving ANZ
11:09 Diving Talks
11:58 DEMA

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS43OTNDNTk0OUNGMDA1MUNG

Upcoming Dive Shows in 2025 #scubadiving #diveshow

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged. 

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/ 
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

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The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

US diver Barrington Scott has set a verified Guinness World Record for the fastest time to scuba dive across all seven continents.Cartagena City Council says it is preparing to tighten access to the Cueva del Agua (Water Cave) system in southern Spain, following the death of a 37-year-old female diver there on 18 January. And an underwater habitat builder has just extended the record for longest time spent submerged.

https://divernet.com/scuba-news/scuba-dash-across-7-continents-brings-world-record/
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/health-safety/spanish-cave-divers-death-prompts-calls-for-controls/
https://www.kentucky.com/news/nation-world/national/article299289964.html
https://divernet.com/scuba-news/pod-builder-completes-120-days-under-sea/

#scuba #scubadiving #scubadiver

Become a fan: https://www.scubadivermag.com/join

GEAR PURCHASES: https://www.scubadivermag.com/affiliate/dive-gear

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OUR WEBSITES

Website: https://www.scubadivermag.com ➡️ Scuba Diving, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Scuba Gear Reviews
Website: https://www.divernet.com ➡️ Scuba News, Underwater Photography, Hints & Advice, Travel Reports
Website: https://www.godivingshow.com ➡️ The Only Dive Show in the United Kingdom
Website: https://www.rorkmedia.com ➡️ For advertising within our brands
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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We partner with https://www.scuba.com and https://www.mikesdivestore.com for all your gear essentials. Consider using the affiliate link above to support the channel.

The information in this video is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional SCUBA Training or recommendations for every manufacturer. All content, including text, graphics, images, and information, contained in this video is for general information purposes only and does not replace training from a qualified Dive Instructor or specific requirements from equipment manufacturers.

YouTube Video UEw2X2VCMS1KYWdWbXFQSGV1YW84WVRHb2pFNkl3WlRSZS4yNkZBOTQyMkYxQkQyMzc2

Spanish Cave Closed After Fatality #scuba #podcast #news

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