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New York started to ban the trade and possession of shark fin by the end of July. It became the eighth state to officially ban the shark fin trade in the U.S. Though theoretically, these bans are used to restrict the activities of every resident in New York State, in fact, its only aim is to ban Chinese immigrants from trading and eating Shark fins.

In July, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a law that would offer some protection to the estimated 73 million sharks killed for their fins each year. Besides Asia, New York is one of the largest markets for shark fins and a popular port of entry on the East Coast. In the United States, the fins are commonly used for making shark fin soup, a Chinese delicacy. According to the law, law-breakers will be taken into custody for up to 15 days. In addition, they will be imposed a fine of 100 bucks for per shark they killed.

Shark fin soup is a traditional Chinese delicacy. The shark fins provide texture while the taste comes from the other soup ingredients. The soup originated centuries ago during the Ming Dynasty. Demand for the soup has increased as income levels of Chinese communities worldwide have risen. International concerns over the sustainability and welfare of sharks have impacted consumption and availability of the soup.

Furthermore, the facts of these shark fins are extremely cruel. In shark finning, the shark is typically dismembered while it is alive, having its fins cut off immediately as it is caught. More disturbingly, the mutilated body of the shark is then tossed overboard where it will sink to the bottom to bleed to death or drown. The protests against shark fin trade have been carried out in many Chinese regions all over the world.

Since the legislation was released, many seafood stores in New York's Chinatown started clearance sales of shark fin. Most of the sellers said shark fin would be no longer available in their stores.