Every year, several million sharks are killed, due to commercial and recreational fishing. The vast majority of those killed are for a single purpose: Shark fin soup. The fin is believed to have medicinal qualities, although scientific studies would suggest that the fin has no nutritional or medicinal quality whatsoever. This systematic slaughter of sharks is a severe detriment to marine ecosystems. Not only is the process damaging to the ecosystem, it is wasteful and inhumane. When fins are removed from the shark, the carcass is often thrown back into the ocean while the shark is still alive. From there the sharks are either eaten, or suffocate from the inability to keep moving to breathe. If sharks are driven to extinction, the seas have lost their apex predator, which will have absolutely devastating ripple effects on all other forms of ocean life. It is extremely important we conserve this fascinating species that has existed for hundreds of millions of years. And even though Michigan may not be a coastal state, we can still help to save this animal by boycotting any products that contain shark fins, and by getting local Asian cuisine establishments to remove any products containing fins from their menu. It's only a matter of time before human greed and arrogance drives another species to extinction. So, I implore you to aid in working towards a law in Michigan to help drive down the demand for shark fin. Via a law that prohibits any sale or possession(or any part thereof) of shark fins in the state.