Preventing fishermen from selling shark fins would not improve conservation or management, argues the NOAA Fisheries assistant administrator, Chris Oliver.
For decades, US fishermen have been barred from removing shark fins and discarding the body at sea, a practice known as shark finning. Sharks must instead be brought to shore with their fins naturally attached where they can be removed and sold. This remains controversial, however, with some states moving to restrict the practice further.
“We are required by the Magnuson-Stevens Act to prevent overfishing in our shark fisheries regardless of whether fins are allowed to be sold or not,” explained Mr Oliver. “A ban on the sale of shark fins would only regulate which parts of a sustainably harvested shark can be used,” he added.
Legislation would also have little impact on the global fin market, said Mr Oliver. The US exports only around 1% of all globally traded shark fins with an even smaller percentage imported.
“The largest impact of a national shark fin sale ban would fall on our fishermen,” he continued. “Because they have a higher economic value than shark meat, fins are key to any commercial shark operation. If fishermen were required to discard fins that were harvested sustainably under strict federal management, they would have less income.”
Domestic bans on harvesting would also under efforts to promote internal dialogue on sustainable shark management. “Responsibly participating in the global fin trade allows the US to showcase our strong conservation and management practices overseas,” concluded Mr Oliver.
