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CS/CS/CS/SB 680 — Shark Fins
by Rules Committee; Commerce and Tourism Committee; Environment and Natural Resources Committee; and Senators Hutson, Gruters, Stewart, Berman, and Book
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Environment and Natural Resources Committee (EN)
The bill is named the “Kristin Jacobs Ocean Conservation Act.”
The bill prohibits the import, export, and sale of shark fins in the State of Florida with certain exceptions including:
- 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;
- The export and sale of shark fins by any wholesale dealer holding a valid federal Atlantic shark dealer permit on January 1, 2020; and
- The export and sale of domestically sourced shark fins by any shark fin processor that obtains fins from a wholesale dealer holding a valid federal Atlantic shark dealer permit on January 1, 2020.
The bill requires the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to evaluate the potential economic impact to the commercial shark fishing industry associated with prohibition of the import, export, and sale of shark fins in Florida, and report its findings to the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House of Representatives by December 31, 2021. In conducting the study, FWC shall include:
- Recommendations on how to lessen or offset impacts on the commercial shark fishing industry to the extent practicable if any negative economic impacts are identified;
- The potential impact on shark populations associated with the prohibition of the import, export, and sale of shark fins in Florida; and
- Any other information FWC believes is relevant to the management of shark fisheries.
The bill states that, upon receipt of the report, the Legislature may impose a ban on the domestic production of shark fins.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect October 1, 2020.
Vote: Senate 40-0; House 119-1