PRESS
RELEASE
15/3/12 London: UK Fisheries Minister Champions Shark Protection
As Europe debates the future of the EU ban on shark ‘finning’, the Shark Trust shows the UK
Fisheries Minister the strength of public support from the Great British Public for closing the
loopholes.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), every year millions of sharks
are finned worldwide. Finning is the wasteful practice of removing shark fins on board fishing vessels
and discarding the carcass at sea. The current EU regulation, adopted in 2003, bans finning but is too
lenient to ensure that the practice is not continuing undetected and unpunished.
Shark fins are the key ingredient in a traditional and expensive Asian soup. The EU, particularly
Spain, is one of the world’s largest suppliers of shark fins to Asia.
The European Commission has proposed ending special fishing permits, still granted by some member
states, that allow fishermen to remove shark fins at sea and bring bodies and fins to port separately. The
UK ceased provision of these permits in 2009, whereas Spain and Portugal continue to issue them, to their
extensive long-line fleet. As expected, the Spanish industry is leading the opposition to the Commission’s
proposed improvements in the finning ban which would require all sharks to be landed with their fins
‘naturally attached’.
Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust said, “The Shark Trust strongly supports the
Commission’s proposal for a fins naturally attached policy. The Trust is working closely with the UK
Government, and members of the European Parliament and Council to secure a shark finning policy
with no compromise or exceptions.”
The UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon, a committed supporter of the fins naturally attached
policy, has received a presentation on behalf of over 60,000 UK citizens who joined the Shark Trust,
and partners in the EU-wide Shark Alliance coalition, in calling for improved shark conservation
measures. Benyon, who has led the UK in championing a tighter shark finning regulation, has been
vocal in his support commenting: “The UK strongly supports the Commission’s proposals to tighten
controls on shark finning, this will once and for all remove any possibility that illegal finning can take
place on EU vessels and in EU waters.”
“The petition I have received demonstrates the strength of feeling on the wasteful and potentially
barbaric practice of shark finning, cutting off a shark’s fin and throwing the rest of the carcass into the
sea. The UK will continue to lead the way on shark conservation internationally, pushing for
improvements wherever they’re needed.”
Unmanaged exploitation of sharks, in particular shark finning, is a matter of public concern, as clearly
demonstrated by the support for European Shark Week - an annual series of activities, every October,
to highlight the plight of sharks. Across the UK events were enthusiastically delivered by individuals,
organisations and the network of UK aquariums with a petition calling for stronger conservation
measures. SEA LIFE London Aquarium topped the petition tally, securing nearly 15,000 signatures.
Rebecca Carter, Conservation Co-ordinator at SEA LIFE London Aquarium said: “Working with the
team here in London we have been busy fulfilling our commitment to the EU Shark Action Plan by
communicating the threat to sharks overall and essentially the need for tightening the shark finning
ban.”
Shark Trust and Shark Alliance colleagues recognised SEA LIFE London Aquarium’s achievements
whilst marvelling at the diversity of sharks in their newest shark exhibit.
March 2012 London: UK Fisheries Minister Champions Shark Protection
Editors notes:
The Shark Trust: Established in 1997, the Shark Trust is the UK registered charity which
works to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education,
influence and action.
The Trust is: an effective and well respected advocate for sound shark management and
protection; a founder member of the Shark Alliance; the Secretariat of the European
Elasmobranch Association; and a membership organisation which provides a link between
the public and the science community. The Trust works through cross-sectoral collaboration
and where possible works with governments and industry to attain sustainable goals.
The Shark Trust advocates for effective and well enforced shark finning regulations and has
been instrumental in the adoption of European and domestic policies.
The Shark Alliance is a coalition of more than 100 conservation, scientific, and recreational
organisations dedicated to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving shark
conservation policies. The Shark Alliance was initiated and is coordinated by the Pew
Environment Group, the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a nongovernment
organisation that is working to end overfishing in the world's oceans. Every October,
members of the Shark Alliance in Europe conduct a week of public activities to promote
shark appreciation and to call for conservation measures. For details of this year’s European
Shark Week, please go to www.europeansharkweek.org
Why: Fins-naturally-attached?
We believe that requiring sharks are landed with their fins naturally attached is straight
forward to enforce and by far the simplest and most reliable method to ensure an end to
shark finning.
 A reduced enforcement burden as there is no requirement for ensuring compliance with
the fin:carcass ratio and the associated complicated conversion factor calculations.
 The ability to secure the species-specific landings data required for population
monitoring and associated species specific management measures.
 The removal of the opportunity for ‘high grading’.
For more information and media interviews contact the Shark Trust on +44 (0) 1752
672020/07855 386083
For images please contact: Sophie Hulme. Tel: +44 (0) 7973 712 869.
Email: sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk.
The Shark Trust
4 Creykes Court,
The Millfields
Plymouth, Devon.
PL1 3JB UK
Ph/fax +44 (0) 1752 672008
Charity No: 1064185
Registered Company No: 3396164
March 2012 London: UK Fisheries Minister Champions Shark Protection