OTTAWA – Conservative MPs have narrowly defeated a B.C. New Democratic Party MP’s bill calling for a ban on importing shark fins.

The bill, had it passed, would have been sent to a parliamentary committee for study and possible amendments before a final vote. But it was defeated Wednesday evening in a 143-138 vote in the House of Commons.

On Monday, MPs from all parties described the practice of “shark finning” – an animal’s fins are severed, and it’s then tossed back into the ocean to die – as “barbaric” and a form of torture.

Canada prohibits any fishery in Canadian waters that involves the harvesting only of shark fins, and government MPs indicated during Monday’s debate that the government will look at ways to prevent import of fins from countries that don’t have similar rules.

The bill’s sponsor, New Westminster-Coquitlam New Democrat Fin Donnelly, said he hopes the government will follow through.

“I am disappointed more Conservative MPs did not support this important legislation. I hope the government will take immediate action to restrict the importation of shark fins to Canada,” Donnelly in a statement after the vote.

Monday, government MPs said they opposed a total ban because it would prohibit the import of products from sustainable shark fisheries.

Canada imports roughly 100 tonnes of shark fin product annually, and the product is a popular and expensive delicacy at Chinese restaurants. Minister of State Alice Wong triggered a public outcry last fall when she ate shark fin soup at a restaurant in her Richmond riding.

Donnelly cited a new academic study that concluded at shark finning plays a role in the estimated 100 million sharks deaths – perhaps as many as 273 million – each year.

“This is having a devastating impact on shark populations, which is harmful to ocean ecosystems.”

He said the government’s proposal to limit imports to countries that ban shark finning wouldn’t work, since Costa Rica doesn’t allow the practice, yet finning there is known to be widespread and run by organized crime.

Poneil@postmedia.com

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