Bill > HB05224

This bill prohibits the unauthorized practice of shark finning in the state of Connecticut. It defines a "shark" as any species of the subclass Elasmobranchii, excluding those in the order Batoidea and smooth-hounds, and a "shark fin" as a raw, dried, or otherwise processed fin or tail separated from the shark's body. The bill makes it illegal to possess, sell, offer for sale, trade, or distribute shark fins, with exceptions for those with licenses or permits to take or land sharks, who can separate fins during the ordinary course of preparing the shark for consumption, sale, trade, or distribution, as long as the separated fins are immediately destroyed unless used for taxidermy. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection may also issue permits for the possession of shark fins for scientific research or educational purposes. Violations of the shark fin possession ban would result in an infraction, with the ability to pay a fine or plead not guilty.