Calgary city council to draft shark fin ban bylaw

Calgary city council has voted 13-2 to draw up a bylaw to ban the distribution and sale of shark fins.

Millions of sharks are killed every year for their fins, which are used in soup and other recipes. Many times the fins are cut off and the sharks are thrown back into the water alive to die slowly.

Ald. Brian Pincott suggested there's a need for a bylaw.

He says finning sharks could eventually lead to extinction and that it's dangerous for humans because of the mercury content.

He says it's an encouraging development and sends a strong example to other governments to set up similar bans.

A bylaw is expected to come back to city council this fall.