A ban on fishermen removing fins from sharks whilst their vessels are at sea will come into force in Scotland within weeks. Earlier this year Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead announced plans to tighten up procedures in Scotland''s seas, and now Scotland is to go a ''significant step further'' by strengthening an absolute ban on the ''barbaric'' practice of shark finning.
Mr Lochhead has also written to the European Commissioner, calling on the Commission to follow Scotland's lead and strengthen the ban on shark finning throughout the European Community. Industry representatives in Scotland support the ban.
Speaking during European Shark Week, Mr Lochhead said:
"Some shark populations are close to extinction, so I am delighted that Scotland is bringing an end to such a barbaric practice.
"As one of Europe's most important fishing nations we have a duty to show that we are serious about protecting the sustainability of our seas, their stocks and the wider marine ecosystem, not just through words but with action.
"Scotland has been praised in the past for taking a stand on shark finning - now we are once again taking decisive action and sending out a strong, unequivocal message to the rest of Europe."
Scottish Ministers will make an Order under section 30(2) of the Fisheries Act 1981 to ban the removal of shark fins at sea without exception. Such a ban will apply to Scottish-fishing vessels, regardless of where they fish; and any other fishing vessel within the Scottish zone, provided they are not in possession of a valid special fishing permit issued from another Member State. Existing legislation will be amended to remove a defence currently afforded to vessels which hold special fishing permits issued by Scottish Ministers, permitting them to remove and retain shark fins in certain circumstances.
