These are some of the websites that have petitions you can sign to help pass the shark fin ban.

http://www.sharksavers.org/
http://www.stopsharkfinning.net/
http://www.sharkwater.com/education.htm a great site has lots of educational information for grade school kids
http://www.hsi.org/issues/shark_finning/
http://www.sharks.org/about-sri.html

Here is a copy of a letter from the SharkAngels website you can use to send to your Senator or Assemblyman.

SUBJECT: Please support S.6431/A.7707a to protect sharks and our oceans
Dear Legislator,
Every year, tens of millions of sharks are killed primarily for their fins. In just a few decades, some regional shark populations have declined by over 95%, and their populations continue to plummet. Due to the economics at stake, shark finning, the primary reason sharks are caught, is unsustainable, and often unregulated, illegal and inhumane. Fins bought in New York support this industry and are driving the staggering decline in shark populations.
Reducing demand for shark fin through legislation is the quickest and most effective way to save sharks from extinction. The entire West Coast -- California, Washington, Oregon, and Hawaii -- and the U.S. territories Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands have already enacted bans on the shark fin trade. It is my hope New York will exhibit similar leadership and join them.
S.6431/A.7707a will allow New York to make a critical impact on decimated shark populations that play an important role in keeping our oceans healthy.
Please support the bipartisan S.6431/A.7707a. In doing so, you will be giving sharks a much needed chance to recover, while protecting our oceans, and all who depend upon them.


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It’s Time To Take Action
By John Schwedes

Each year tens of millions of sharks are brutally killed for their fins. The fins are used in an Asian delicacy, shark fin soup. The shark fin has no nutritional value, is tasteless since it cartilage and is cooked until it turns gelatinous. The sharks are caught and their fins are cut off the live shark and the still living shark is thrown back into the ocean to endure a slow painful death by starvation or drowning. Currently one third of all the pelagic shark species are on the endangered species list. There has been up to a 90% decrease in population in many of the 400 different species of sharks. Sharks are a vital part of a healthy marine ecosystem, sharks feed on the sick and weak, thereby keeping the schools of fish on which they feed healthy. Sharks being apex predators reproduce slowly and produce a just a few offspring making them especially vulnerable to this devastating assault on their population.
In New York State there are currently bills to ban the possession, sale, trade or distribution of shark fins. The New York State Senate bill, S6431 is sponsored by State Senator Grisanti. The New York State Assembly bill, A07707A is sponsored by Assemblyman Maisel.
Currently both bills are in their respective Environmental Conservation committees. It is crucial that you contact your NY State Senator and Assembly Member and tell them you support this bill and urge them to sponsor and support this vital piece of legislation. Send them an email, give them a phone call or mail them a good old fashion letter. But you need to act now! Before it is too late! As divers we all love to see sharks, if we don’t step up to the plate now and make ourselves heard we may never see another shark.

Currently the states of California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington have similar laws in place. Maryland, New Jersey, Florida, Virginia and Illinois are also considering similar legislation.

To find the name and contact information for the Assembly Member for your district: http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/?sh=search

To find the name and contact information for the state Senator for your district: http://www.nysenate.gov/