UPDATE. On June 5, Governor Brian Sandoval signed SB 194 into law!
Contact the Governor by email Today! http://gov.nv.gov/Contact/Email-the-Governor/ Or Phone: (775) 684-5670 and add your support for SB 194.
Shark Stewards is partner with Humane Society International, Humane Society US and Dazzle Africa in legislation to reduce wildlife trafficking in Nevada. The Bill SB 194 is now on Governor Sandoval’s desk for a signature. Share on Facebook and Tweet #SandovalSignSB194, #KeepitWild
Nevada Residents: Click the link and vote FOR SB194 to make illegal the trafficking of wildlife including elephant ivory, whale, large cat, pangolin, shark fins and other endangered wildlife.
Why Sharks?
Associated with the growth of Asian wealth, tourism has increased in the US, especially Las Vegas, and with that growth the demand for luxury items like shark fin soup has increased significantly. As US consumers become enlightened to the severe impacts shark fin soup is having on shark populations globally, the list of casinos and hotels catering to Chinese visitors and serving shark fin soup is growing.*
Voice your support
Sharks are impacted from overfishing, largely driven by the demand for shark fin in the past two decades. This demand is causing populations of large sharks to be overfished globally, and driving many species towards extinction. Scientists estimate that one third of the large open ocean species of sharks are threatened with extinction. Highly coveted for their fins, some large charismatic species like hammerhead sharks are now endangered and have had their local populations reduced by 90% or more. The high return paid for shark fins motivates fishermen to catch sharks for their fins or worse, through shark finning- the cruel and wasteful act of slicing off the fins and discarding the shark overboard. This demand is destroying an important animal and damaging ocean ecosystems.
Sharks are vanishing from the ocean and they are ending up in the soup. Direct flights from China and casinos and businesses catering to Chinese and Chinese American tourists are increasing visitors from that sector. Included in this attraction are tempting dishes like shark fin soup. Over 20 restaurants and casinos have been identified in Las Vegas alone selling shark fin, making this city the highest concentration of shark fin consumption in the US. Restaurants like Empress have opened a location at the Palace Station Hotel and Casino-a casino favored by Chinese visitors and gamblers- serving shark fin soup and other exotic dishes to their clientele.
The Solution
To counter this trend, groups like California based Shark Stewards, the Humane Society US, ASUS, Oceana and others have been fighting to combat the shark fin trade by passing legislation to ban the sale and trade of shark fins. At this time 11 US states have shark fin trade bans and there is now a congressional bill to eliminate the shark fin trade nationally. In the interim, Shark Stewards is focusing on Las Vegas with the local community and the shark product free company LUSH Cosmetics.
Why should the desert dwellers care about sharks? Sharks maintain the health and balance to ocean ecosystems, keeping their prey populations healthy and reducing waste and decomposing animals in the sea. Healthy seafood supplies rely on these top predators to keep out the diseased and the genetically weak. We rely on almost 70% of our oxygen from oceanic plankton. Humans across the planet rely on healthy oceans. Saving sharks will benefit the future of all humanity across the globe. We can make informed choices and say no to shark fin soup.
Help Shark Stewards investigate the shark fin trade and build on the ground support in Nevada by joining us during World Oceans Day, or donating.
*Casinos with Restaurants Catering to Locals and Asian tourists serving shark fin soup.
NEW- Lucky Dragon Casino, Phoenix Restaurant
300 W Sahara Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89102
The Paiza Club
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Ping Pang Pong
Gold Coast Casino, 4000 West Flamingo Road
Pearl Restaurant
MGM Grand Hotel Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Fin at the Mirage
3400 South Las Vegas Boulevard
Empress Court at Caesar’s Palace
3570 Las Vegas Boulevard
*As of June 2014, these restaurants have been identified by our volunteers and the Animal Welfare Institute to serve shark fin soup. Please avoid these restaurants or ask them not to serve shark fin soup.
Capital Seafood Restaurant
4215 West Spring Mountain Road Suite B-202
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 227-3588
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
Cathay Restaurant
5300 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 876-3838
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
Chang’s Hong Kong Cuisine
4670 South Decatur Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 362-3663
changscuisine.com/home
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Emperor’s Garden
4215 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 889-6777
emperorgarden.com
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Harbor Palace
4275 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89162
(702) 253-1688
harborpalacevegas.com
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Hong Kong Star-Chinatown
3400 South Jones Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 220-3388
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
Joyful House
4601 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 889-8881
joyfulhouselv.com
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
KJ Kitchen
5960 Spring Mountain Road
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 221-0456
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
LV Food Express
2003 South Decatur Boulevard
Las Vegas, NV 89102
(702) 870-1595
lvfoodexpress.com
Last Updated on: June 14, 2014
Orchids Garden
5485 West Sahara
Las Vegas, NV 89146
(702) 631-3839
orchidsgardenrestaurant.com
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Pearl Restaurant
MGM Grand Hotel Casino, 3799 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 891-7380
mgmgrand.com/restaurants/pearl-chinese-restaurant.aspx
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Ping Pang Pong
Gold Coast Casino, 4000 West Flamingo Road
Las Vegas, NV 89103
(702) 367-7111
goldcoastcasino.com/dine/ping-pang-pong
Last Updated on: July 7, 2014
The Paiza Club
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino, 3355 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 414-1000
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Red 8 at Wynn
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 770-3463
wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/CasualDining/Red8
Last Updated on: June 10, 2014
Wing Lei Restaurant
3131 Las Vegas Boulevard South
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 248-3463
wynnlasvegas.com/Restaurants/FineDining/WingLei
Last Updated on: June 10, 2015