Researcher: JKL Page 1 3/6/25
OLR Bill Analysis
HB 5012
AN ACT PROHIBITING THE PRACTICE OF SHARK FINNING.
SUMMARY
This bill generally bans possessing, selling, offering for sale, trading,
or distributing a shark fin. It makes a violation an infraction. (An
infraction is not a crime, and a person may pay any associated fine by
mail or plead not guilty in accordance with state law.)
The bill exempts from its ban people holding a license or permit to
take or land sharks if they separate a fin or tail from a lawfully landed
shark when preparing the shark’s body for consumption, sale, trade, or
distribution. This applies as long as they immediately destroy the fin or
tail or use it for personal consumption or taxidermy. Additionally, the
bill allows the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to
issue a permit to possess shark fins for scientific research or educational
purposes.
Under the bill, “shark” excludes rays and smooth-hound sharks. A
“shark fin” is a raw, dried, or processed fin or tail that is separated from
a shark’s body.
Existing regulations prohibit taking, possessing, selling, exchanging,
or offering for sale or exchange any of a specified list of sharks, which
does not include smooth-hound sharks (Conn. Agencies Regs., § 26-
159a-1(e)).
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2025
2025HB-05012-R000050-BA.DOCX
Researcher: JKL Page 2 3/6/25
COMMITTEE ACTION
Environment Committee
Joint Favorable
Yea 35 Nay 0 (02/19/2025)