HONOLULU » Gov. Benigno Fitial of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands has enacted a new law that bans the possession, sale, offering for sale, trading or distribution of shark fins in its territory.

Fitial signed the legislation Thursday.

According to the Saipan Tribune, the measure’s supporters were inspired by a similar law in Hawaii.

One advocate, WildAid Executive Director Peter Knights, says the new Northern Marianas statute is another example of a Pacific region strongly standing against the shark fin trade.

The fins are a delicacy often used in Chinese soups. Restaurants on the commonwealth have 90 days under the law to sell or serve their supply of fins.