The European Council of Ministers has signed off on the official regulatory text on an EU ban on shark finning.
Shark finning was banned by the EU in 2003, but there were loopholes in the regulation that allowed shark fins to be removed onboard and landed separately from shark bodies, which hampers enforcement.
Now shark fins must remain attached to shark bodies through landing. The Council endorsed the best practice for finning ban enforcement more than a year ago, but Shark Trust, UK and Shark Advocates International, US say that the measure has faced formidable opposition from Spain and Portugal, Europe’s leaders in catch of oceanic sharks, all along the way.
“Strong finning bans are fundamental to effective shark fisheries management and particularly important for shark fishing powers like the EU,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International. “Because of the EU’s significant influence at international fisheries bodies, the new ‘fins-attached’ regulation holds great promise for combating the wasteful practice of finning and improving our understanding of shark catches on a global scale.”
The European Union has also proposed an international ‘fins-attached’ policy for the Eastern Pacific Ocean through the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC). The proposal will be considered at the IATTC annual meeting next week.
