The European Commission’s decision to launch an impact assessment that measures the effectiveness and contribution of EU rules against the practice of shark finning whilst also improving data relating to the import and export of shark products has been welcomed by campaigners and industry alike.
Although the practice of removing a shark’s fins and throwing the fish back into to sea is illegal in the EU, the import and export of loose fins is not specifically outlawed. But, as previously reported by WF, the Commission has published a communication in response to the citizens’ initiative ‘Stop Finning – Stop the trade’, a campaign that aims to end the international trade of loose shark fins.
The Commission’s impact assessment will be launched before the end of this year. It has also said it will aim to better enforce the EU’s already strong traceability measures and enhance the bloc’s role in the global fight against shark finning.
According to the StopFinningEU initiative, more than 1.1 million statements of support were collected for ending the shark fin trade in Europe.
“We welcome the Commission’s recognition of the importance of sharks and their protection. Having an impact assessment before introducing new regulations is important: It reduces the chances of being challenged in court later on. So in the long run, it pays off to consider all the impacts up front and work on strategies to offset any financial damage in certain areas. An impact assessment ensures that all consequences are considered in advance,” said Dr Nils Kluger, spokesperson for the initiative.
“We will make sure that the voice of 1.1 million EU citizens is heard in this next step of the political process and we will continue to be at the forefront of the fight for sharks. We are confident that the outcome of the assessment will prove that there is no alternative to a legally binding trade ban.” added Alex Cornelissen, substitute spokesperson of StopFinningEU.
In a statement, EU fishing industry body Europêche said it believes the current framework in Europe guarantees that all shark catches are legal and sustainable but added that there’s always room for improvement.
For that reason, the fishing sector welcomes the decision to assess the situation in depth before taking any legislative measure, it said.
“The European fishing sector, represented by Europêche, unanimously condemns the practice of ‘finning’ (cutting shark fins and throwing mutilated bodies into the sea) by any fleet in the world. The EU fleet has never practiced finning, as evidenced by the fact that no EU fishing vessel has been sanctioned for this practice.” said Javier Garat, President of Europêche. “In the European market, our consumers value, trade and eat the sharks’ meat. In fact, most of the revenue for the fleet comes from the selling of the meat and not the fins. Nothing is wasted.”
According to Europêche, to guarantee the sustainable management of sharks, fisheries are meticulously regulated by the EU and by UN bodies across all oceans.
It highlighted that in international waters, blue shark catches represent more than 95% of the total shark landings and the latest scientific information shows that the population of this species is abundant and healthy in all oceans.
This species’ fins are easily distinguishable, even separated from the body, due to its metallic blue coloration and the lack of spines at the base.
With regards to finning controls, since 2013, the EU has required all sharks to be brought to port with their fins naturally attached. This rule must also be respected by all EU fishing vessels operating across the world.
In addition, once landed, IUU policy requires national authorities to issue a catch certificate that accompanies the body of the shark and the fins up until the point that they reach the consumer. Furthermore, the FAO Agreement on Port State Measures requires the verification and inspection of fishing vessels entering ports to ensure that they comply with the law.
Moreover, last year, the international community agreed to include nearly 100 species of sharks and rays under Appendix II of the Convention on International trade in Endangered Species of Wild fauna and flora (CITES). This requires an export permit, which will only be granted if the national authority verifies that the export is not detrimental to the survival of the species, and that it was not obtained in contravention of the national laws.
“Our fishers have changed the way they operate to ensure the full traceability of shark fins. This has not been easy, and rather costly. We are certain that the new trade rules recently adopted by the international community will require further bureaucratic and economic efforts from the administrations and the sector. The Commission is therefore right in carrying out a fitness and data check before proposing new measures. Banning a perfectly legal and sustainable economic activity in Europe, would only cause financial losses to our companies and would deteriorate the situation in Asian markets,” Garat said.
Europêche also advised that since 2019, the EU fishing sector has been developing a fisheries improvement programme with a focus on swordfish and blue shark. This, it said, shows a clear commitment from the sector to improve science, mitigation techniques and increase fisheries observers onboard with the ultimate goal to obtain a Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification.
