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Shark's fin soup

Updated Feb. 23, 2011, 10:57 a.m.

First the Golden State, now the Empire State?

The New York Times reports that lawmakers in New York are considering a bill that "would ban the sale, trading, possession and distribution of shark fins, possibly as of 2013."

If the bill becomes law, New York would become the fifth state to enact such a ban.

Last October, Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill banning the sale or possession of shark fins. That law took effect on Jan. 1.

Dessicated shark fins are the key ingredient in shark fin soup, a popular banquet dish served in Chinese and some other Asian communities on special occasions.

"Scientists estimate that up to 73 million sharks are killed annually to satisfy the appetite for shark fin soup," the Times reported.