The San Francisco Chronicle reports the Asian American Rights Committee of California has filed a lawsuit against the state, claiming that the “Shark Protection Act” (AB376) violates “Congress’ authority to regulate interstate trade.”

The “Shark Protection Act,” which was signed into law last October and went into effect on January 1, 2012, prohibits the sale and trade of shark fins in California.

According to the lawsuit, the shark fin ban effectively eliminates interstate trade of shark fins, which has been a legitimate local business for over 35 years. The Chronicle reports that local opponents of the shark fin ban plan to file a federal lawsuit, as well.