Shark fins are used primarily in shark fin soup, considered to be a delicacy in Chinese cultures. Hundreds of Texas restaurants serve shark fin soup, thereby contributing to the sale, use and consumption of shark fins -- via shark finning -- in Texas. Shark finning refers to the removal and retention of shark fins and the discard at sea of the carcass. The shark is most often still alive when it is tossed back in the water. Unable to swim, the shark slowly sinks to the bottom, where it is eaten alive by other fish. Finning, considered to be a lucrative but cruel business, has been named as a primary contributing factor in the global declice of many shark species, with fishing fleets catching and killing over 70 million sharks a year as of 2010. Currently, only three states have banned the sale and consumption of shark fins: Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. California is currently reviewing a similar bill to pass into law. Please help create legislation in Texas to stop the sale, use and consumption of shark fins in Texas.