European Commission seeks public opinion on improving shark protection
A new questionnaire seeking the feedback from the public on policy options to better protect and manage sharks and related marine ecosystems has been published by the European Commission.
The aim of the consultation is to gather the views of the public to ensure an informed follow-up to the 2023 European citizens’ initiative Stop Finning – Stop the Trade. It follows the call for evidence launched on 22 February 2024 to collect data and expertise from stakeholders, on a potential ban on exports and imports of loose shark fins as well as their sales within the EU market.
“The citizens’ initiative Stop Finning – Stop the Trade gathered more than 1 million signatures: it is clear that how we treat sharks is an issue close to the hearts of many Europeans. While assessing environmental, social and economic impacts of measures that could improve shark protection, we also seek views of a wider public, to make sure that the European Commission’s response to this initiative is the best possible one,” EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius said.
This public consultation is addressed to civil society at large, in and outside the EU, including citizens, NGOs, economic operators of the fisheries value chains, trade unions and consumer organisations, researchers and members of the academia, and public authorities and international organisations.
The questionnaire is available online for a period of 12 weeks, until 4 June 2024.
Feedback received through both channels will feed into an ongoing impact assessment.
As part of the response to the Stop Finning – Stop the Trade, the Commission is considering potential measures to step up shark protection and management, including:
- The possibility to only allow commercialisation of sharks with their fins attached – be it for consumption within the EU or for international trade (imports and exports)
- Bilateral agreements with the main international partners involved in shark fishing and consumption
- Sustainability certification schemes for shark products, and
- Promotion of a global trade ban on trade in loose shark fins
The Commission’s overall response to the initiative presented in July 2023 already includes:
- Enhanced enforcement of existing conservation and management measures
- Stepping up international outreach to reduce shark fin consumption and end finning practices worldwide
