The San Fernando Valley is home to Universal Studios, one of the most famous movie studios in the world. As a resident of Studio City, it is something I mention with pride to people I meet who are not from California.

State lawmakers on Monday proposed to outlaw the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins that are used in traditional soup, saying it will help protect the fish from extinction, but opponents called it an attack on Chinese culture.

Democratic Assemblymen Paul Fong of Sunnyvale and Jared Huffman of San Rafael introduced the legislation with support from environmental groups including the  Natural Resources Defense Council.

A law prohibiting the possession, sale and distribution of shark fins goes into effect in the state of Hawaii. Hailed as a victory, albeit a small one, by conservationists, this law nevertheless is a major step in recognizing the need for government action to help save the shark. Sought after by the Chinese for millenniums, shark fins were a delicacy reserved for the elite, and served at important celebrations and banquets. With the recent rise of the middle class in China the demand for shark fins has skyrocketed. This Chinese fondness for shark fins is threatening the survival of sharks. Although laws banning consumption of shark fins is a positive step in limiting shark fins trade we, as consumers, must also consciously make a choice not to eat shark fins if we were to succeed in preventing the extinction of the sharks.