A bill banning the buying or selling of shark fins nationwide has been passed by the US House of Representatives.
Photo: Flickr/ Geoff Shuetrim
The measure was brought to the House by the Northern Marianas delegate, Gregorio Kilili Sablan.
An estimated 73 million sharks are caught worldwide each year for their fins and, in most cases, they are then thrown back in the water to drown.
The bill seeks to stop the decline in shark populations by taking away the US market for shark fins, and removing a major economic incentive for shark finning.
While it is already illegal in the US to take sharks solely for their fins, fins can still be imported for sale and the US remains a contributor to the international trade.
Mr Sablan's Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act had 287 co-sponsors and passed on a vote of 310-107.
Gregorio Kilili Sablan. Photo: USDA/Lance Cheung.
Numerous conservation agencies also supported the legislation, along with 45 domestic and international airlines, 21 shipping companies, and more than 645 other US businesses and organisations.
It follows the example of the Northern Marianas and 14 other US states and territories, including Hawaii and neighboring Guam.