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Shark fin ban not to everyone's tasteBy David Leasaid neither the federal nor provincial govern-If it is a legal product allowed to be sold in a country, whether it's this or anythingOAKVILLE BEAVER STAFFments are taking action on this issue and as else, I don't believe the municipality has any business doing anything.such, it has fallen to the municipal level.It may come from a shark, but those who sellShehryar Omar, owner of the Speers Road Roland Jerch, vice presidentand manufacture shark cartilage products sayHouse of Health, which sells a shark cartilage-Health Division of Bell Lifestyles Products Inc.there is a world of difference between their prod-based arthritis product, is also concerned about ucts and more contentious shark fin products, the proposed shark cartilage ban.which are drawing widespread condemnation.This is the first Ive heard of it, he said.But, this has nothing to do with other prod-munity and its not even for a legitimate pur-Town council voted unanimously June 4, to Can they do that if it is a product that is ucts. They are just lumping everything together.pose. We have 50 people working here.have staff to draft a bylaw banning the possession, legally allowed for sale outside of Oakvilles Jerch said his company does release productsFormer Brantford MPP and WildAid Canadasale, distribution and consumption of shark fin boundaries?made with shark cartilage and shark liver oil, butrepresentative Phil Gillies said that while carti-and shark cartilage products in Oakville.Omar said the shark cartilage ban would also said these are taken from dead sharks,lage may not be the main reason for shark hunt-A municipal shark fin ban, which is alsoaffect his business, if approved, as he does have which have been fished for another purpose.ing, it does serve as an added incentive for thebeing considered by Toronto and Mississauga, isregular clientele who purchase shark cartilage Those are products that would have justkilling of sharks.intended to encourage the federal and provincial products.been disposed of if we were not using them forGillies said between 75-85 million sharks aregovernments to enact their own shark fin bans He said if these clients could not get what something, said Jerch.killed by humans every year for their fins, whichand thereby strike a blow against shark finning,they wanted in Oakville, they would simply go to The shark cartilage is the bones of the sharkare used in soup and other forms of Orientala practice experts say is leading to the extinction a neighbouring municipality and buy it there.and that would have just been thrown away. Tocooking. At this rate, Gillies says, numerousof many shark species.When they go there they are going to buy ban stuff like that is just totally wasting some-shark species will be hunted to extinction withinNot fair, says Roland Jerch.other things as well. They are not going to go to thing.the next 12-15 years.Jerch is the vice president of the Healthcaretwo different places to buy their stuff, so well Jerch said while he is concerned about losingWhile Jerch said he is concerned about theDivision for Bell Lifestyles Products Inc., alose even more business because of this particu-business from the Oakville ban, he is more con-environment, he also has concerns about munic-health product manufacturer, which supplies lar product, said Omar.cerned about a similar bylaw currently beingipal governments tackling issues he feels shouldsome 15 to 20 Oakville stores with products Omar said his business would not suffer if the proposed for Mississauga.be left to the federal or provincial governments.containing shark cartilage.Town and other municipalities are successful in The proposed Mississauga bylaw would onlyI dont believe municipal councils shouldThe main product claims to relieve arthritis.getting Environment Canada to ban shark carti-seem to ban shark fin, however, if expanded toeven be discussing this matter, to be honest withJerch said the company manufactures nolage products across the whole country.include shark cartilage the consequences foryou, he said.shark fin products.At the end of the day if Health Canada deems Jerchs business could be dire.If it is a legal product allowed to be sold in aShark finning is a bad practice, were notfit to ban or significantly alter the way these Mississauga is where we are located and if country, whether its this or anything else, Ihappy about that and we dont think its right to products can be sold thats fine because then its they say we cant do business with these kinds of dont believe the municipality has any businesscut the fins off and throw the shark back in thea level playing field for everybody, said Omar.products, that would be a problem, he said.doing anything.water. That is cruel and unnecessary, saidIts not one little geography that is suffer-They would be fooling with jobs in the com-During the June 4 council meeting, GilliesJerch.ing.Online Edition is fully searchable with HOT LINKS to key info and advertisers.Helping You Make Do you have family Smart Decisions and friends planning a visit to Oakville? About Your MoneyHave them visit the new online edition of the Oakville Visitor Guide at www.oakvillevisitorguide.caIt is packed with currentinformation! Restaurants, activities, accommodations, shopping information and more!Peter WatsonMBA, CFP, R.F.P., CIM, FCSIwww.oakvillevisitorguide.ca220 Randall Street Downtown OakvilleProduced annually by Phone: 905.842.2100 PM1 6:46:065/19/1www.peterwatsoninvestments.comd 1Cover_VG 2011.ind3 Wednesday, July 13, 2011 OAKVILLE BEAVER www.insideHALTON.com