RICHMOND (NEWS1130) – As the City of Vancouver considers a ban on shark fin soup, it is hoping neighbouring cities will do the same.

However, it may be a while before the City of Richmond makes a decision on a ban.

A staff report to Richmond city council isn’t expected until the end of the year, while the issue is going to be debated in Vancouver this week.

The city argues that a ban within its boundaries won’t work very well, if fans of the soup simply cross into a different city to consume it.

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie is hoping controversy keeps people from eating the delicacy.

“Well, definitely it takes public education, and I think that the trend is going in that direction and I’m told that the younger people are not ordering the shark fin soup,” he says.

Brodie also points out there are a couple of federal private members bills that may also curb its consumption.
One would ban the import of shark fin, the other would require labels to outline how the shark fins were harvested.

“And the ban in Toronto is now being challenged by the restaurant association there. So there are a number of things going on that might affect our decision.”

While Vancouver has officially asked Richmond and Burnaby for bans of their own, Brodie says Surrey should also be subject to a ban.