Politicians at Toronto City Hall are about to decide whether a proposed ban on the sale of shark fins will sink or swim.
The final vote on banning the controversial Chinese delicacy was scheduled to take place during Monday's city council session, but the decision was deferred to Tuesday.
The city's licensing and standards committee voted earlier this month in favour of banning the possession, sale or consumption of shark fin products. Now city council has the final say.
About 200 protesters gathered outside city hall on Monday, demanding the government stay out of the debate, calling it an "unfair and irresponsible act" to ban shark fins.
"We import and export shark meat. If we are just banning just one part of the fish then we think that it is unfair and irresponsible," said Barbara Chui from the Toronto Chinese Business Association.
"We have addressed a lot of information to city council. They should address this issue based on information, not emotion."
Opponents of the ban also say it is a federal issue and not one that should be dealt with at the municipal level.
CTV Toronto's Natalie Johnson reports that Coun. Doug Ford and Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday say they will vote against the shark fin ban.
Mississauga outlawed the possession, sale or distribution of shark fins in early October.
Commonly consumed in shark fin soup, the ingredient is readily available in the GTA. But it has come under intense international criticism in recent years as many of the world's shark species approach the brink of extinction.
The act of shark-finning has been illegal in Canada since 1993. But shark fin products are not, and the soup can also be found on the menus of many GTA restaurants.
Members of Toronto's Chinese community have said that if a ban is eventually adopted by city council, they would like it to be framed as a global issue and not as a cultural one.
Last June, a pair of city councillors spearheaded a campaign to enact a similar ban in Toronto.
Councillors Glenn De Baeremaeker and Kristyn Wong-Tam condemned the consumption of shark fins, arguing it encourages "shark finning."
The controversial harvest usually involves catching sharks for their fins rather than for their meat. In some cases the creatures are de-finned while they're still alive and are thrown back into the ocean.
The motion approved by the licensing and standards committee recommends a fine of between $500 and $100,000 for violating the ban on shark fins, if it becomes a bylaw.
While conservationists endorse a ban on shark fin products, some have voiced concern about potential negative impacts on local Chinese businesses.
A bowl of shark fin soup can cost as much as $100 and is traditionally served on special occasions such as Chinese New Year and weddings.
Chinese protesters are expected to demonstrate outside city hall on Monday.
In June 2011, Brantford, Ont. became the first Canadian city to ban the sale of shark fin. Following their lead, Oakville, Ont. enacted a ban a month later.
