UK divers—petition Parliament now to ban the importation of shark fins!
Shark fin soup is considered a delicacy, and served at wedding banquets or other celebrations in some Asian countries, because apparently it has medicinal or aphrodisiac qualities.
The insatiable demand for shark fins is catastrophic for the shark population. According to the World Wildlife Fund, “the latest research suggests that around 100 million sharks may be killed annually, often targeted for their fins.”
Several countries have made attempts to cut down on shark finning, but no European country has yet to ban the importation of shark fins. At present, EU law allows individuals travelling to Europe to carry 20kg of dried shark fins for personal consumption.
Shark finning. The despicable practice of hacking the fins off of a shark and leaving it to drown in the sea, just for a bowl of soup. Bobby L. Christine, US attorney
Just under six months ago, Robin Gallagher created a petition to lobby Parliament “to consider options to tighten the personal import allowance, and improve the traceability of the shark in fin trade in the UK.”
DEFRA Response
On 29 June 2020, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) responded with the following statement.
"The UK Government is strongly opposed to shark finning. Shark finning is already banned in UK waters and we continue to support stronger international controls.
The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and places great importance in ensuring that appropriate protection and management is in place for all shark species.
The UK Government is strongly opposed to shark finning, the practice of removing the fins of a shark and discarding the body at sea. The UK has already banned the act of shark finning and has enforced a Fins Naturally Attached policy in order to combat illegal finning of sharks.
The UK Government does not oppose the capture and use of sharks providing catches are shown to be sustainable. However, not to use the whole of any sustainably caught animal would be considered wasteful. We continue to push for stronger controls in order to reduce the risk of illegal finning.
The UK Government is strongly opposed to shark finning. Shark finning is already banned in UK waters. Having left the EU, the UK can champion conservation measures much more forcefully. DEFRA
The greatest conservation benefit for sharks will come through controls directed at the activities of the fishing vessels operating on the high seas rather than restrictions on the trade itself. We recognise that the demand for shark fins can be a significant driving force behind the capture of sharks and can fuel unsustainable practices. This is why the UK continues to press for stronger international controls within the Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and the associated Sharks MoU.
Additional trade controls are in place for certain species of sharks under CITES. These can prohibit the trade in particular species or require trade to be carefully regulated, including through additional assessments of sustainability. Since 2003, 20 species of sharks and rays have been listed under CITES. The UK played a leading role in successfully championing the listing of an additional 18 shark species to appendix II of CITES at the Conference on Parties in August last year.
Having left the EU, the UK can champion conservation measures much more forcefully. This will help improve shark conservation globally through RFMOs and through CITES.
In addition, EU law allows individuals travelling to Europe to carry 20kg of dried shark fins for personal consumption. Our departure from the EU allows us to consider options to tighten the personal import allowance and improve the traceability of the shark in fin trade in the UK."
UK Divers Act Now
UK divers - you have the opportunity to help stop shark finning if you sign and share this petition now. Rosemary E Lunn
In order for the petition to be considered for debate in Parliament it requires 100,000 signatures. At the time of writing this article, the number of signatures stand at 94,080. Another 5,920 UK citizens need to sign the petition before the deadline runs out in two days time. UK divers you have the opportunity to help stop shark finning if you sign and share this petition now.