Pitt Meadows council presented a united front this week to protect sharks and asked City staff to prepare a report about how they could ban shark fins.

While sharks haven't been seen plying the water of the Alouette, Pitt, or Fraser rivers recently - if ever - council decided to take a stand on protecting the species.

The Vancouver Animal Defense League made a presentation to Pitt Meadows council at Tuesday's committee meeting.

They explained that shark fins that were tested at the University of Guelph showed some were taken from endangered and threatened species, including the "critically endangered" great hammerhead shark.

The issue brought out emotions and passion in the councillors and all agreed this was something that needed to be addressed.

As we gain more information through science about animals, their habitats, and how they are threatened by certain human activities, we need to think in ethical terms about how we treat the environment they live in and how we procure the food we need for our nourishment.

While many humans agree that it's okay to kill animals to eat, almost everyone agrees that this should be done in an ethical way, and not in a way that hurts animals or threatens certain species.

Pitt Meadows has decided not to turn a blind eye to the shark fin issue when they know that many sharks are endangered - even though it is probably a minor issue within the City's parameters. But, as one city among a larger group, taking a stand against shark fins sends out the right message.

Maple Ridge council has already banned shark fins, and we hope Pitt Meadows follows through to help protect the threatened species.