The UK''s Marine Management Organisation (MMO) has issued advice on porbeagle sharks, following recent landings of the species in the North East Atlantic.
Over the summer, there were two reports of porbeagle sharks being caught off the North East coast of England – an area where they are less commonly found and are considered critically endangered. Since 2010, commercial fishermen in the EU have been prohibited from landing the species, also known as mackerel sharks. When accidentally caught, they must be returned to the sea and released unharmed.
Neil Wellum, head of marine conservation and enforcement, MMO, said: “Given the extensive coverage of restrictions around this critically endangered species of shark, we advise people in the seafood industry to avoid the sale or purchase of porbeagle shark unless the provenance of the fish has been clearly established as coming from non-EU waters and non-EU vessels. The measures in place are designed to give the porbeagle shark population in the North-East Atlantic a chance to rebuild.”
The MMO is advising that, if caught alive or already dead, the shark must be returned to the sea and must not be retained and landed. The catch should also be recorded in the fishermen’s logbook so records can be kept.
