Objectives
Since the mid-1980s, sharks have been under increasingly intense fishing pressure due to higher demand for shark products (meat, fins, skin, cartilage, etc.), especially in Asian markets. The over-exploitation affects the fragile shark populations.
The EU strategy for sharks includes
- a strict protection of endangered species
- sustainable management of commercial species, including a strict fins-naturally-attached policy
- improvement of data collection
- support to research related to the biology, ecology and management
- enforcement of relevant rules
- traceability and certification of sustainably harvested shark products
Shark finning is the practice of cutting off the shark fins and returning the remaining body to the sea, often still alive. The practice has been prohibited in the EU waters and for all EU vessels fishing worldwide. This is complemented by trade-related instruments to ensure that trade is not harmful to the conservation of shark species.
Actions
The EU is among the front runners in promoting conservation and sustainable management of sharks worldwide, at bilateral and multilateral level in particular through its participation in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations RFMOs) and other relevant international organisations.
Action plan for the conservation and management of sharks
In 2009, the Commission has adopted the action plan for the conservation and management of sharks (EU-POA Sharks) that was endorsed by the EU Council. This plan was inspired by the International Action plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA SHARKS) adopted by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 1999.
Memorandum of understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks
The EU has also been the first signatory to the memorandum of understanding on the conservation of migratory sharks, the first global instrument for the conservation of migratory species of sharks and rays.
CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
CITES aims to protect wild animals and plants against over-exploitation through international trade. In 2022, nearly 100 additional species of sharks and rays, and three species of sea cucumbers, were added to the CITES appendices. Amongst the sharks, the EU co-sponsored Panama’s proposal for listing the family of requiem sharks in CITES Appendix II, including blue shark. The listing entered into force on 25 November 2023.
Common fisheries policy (CFP)
The common fisheries policy (CFP) provides the tools and the framework to adopt science-based measures to minimise negative impact of fishing activities on marine species and habitats. The Commission monitors the implementation of the EU strategy and state of sharks and, in line with the CFP objectives, ensures a coherent approach between the internal and external fishery policy for sharks.
European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF)
Furthermore, the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) provides the possibility for EU countries to use the fund in order to provide support for innovative fishing techniques, more environmentally friendly and selective fishing gears. This also contributes to the sustainable management of many sharks and safeguarding many jobs of fishing communities.
Stop finning – Stop the trade - European Citizens' Initiative
Over 1 million Europeans signed the European Citizens’ Initiative 'Stop finning – Stop the trade'. Their request to stop trade in detached shark fins, presented to the European Commission in 2023 reflects public concerns about the sustainability of shark fishing and trade worldwide and the practice of finning.
In response to it, the Commission committed to
1. Examine the opportunity of taking a legislative measure to end trade in loose shark fins
Following up on this commitment
- The Commission started at the end of 2023 an impact assessment on the environmental, social and economic consequences of applying the 'fins naturally attached' policy to the placing on the EU market of sharks, whether within the EU or for international trade (imports and exports).
- This included an extensive consultation process, with a call for evidence , an open public consultation and a stakeholders’ consultation event, organised between February and July 2024. The public consultation received 3,455 replies that have been thoroughly analysed. The results will soon be published and presented in form of a summary report.
- The inputs received through all the consultation activities will feed into further analysis, including an external study to be carried out as of December 2024.
2. Develop more detailed EU import and export data to improve statistics on trade in shark products
Following up on this commitment the Commission created additional thirteen customs codes. Those will allow for collection of import and export data for both carcasses and fins of the most caught and traded shark species. The codes enter in application in January 2025.
3. Better enforce the EU’s already strong traceability measures
Following up on this commitment, the Commission
- strengthens the enforcement of EU law that applies to the entire value chain: control of fishing at sea, full traceability of shark products from landing to consumer, consumer information, and prevention and redress of illegal trade
- ensure the collection and reporting of complete and reliable information by fishermen and Member States’ authorities on all these aspects
4. Step up the EU’s international leadership
Following up on this commitment, the Commission
- strengthens the effective implementation of conservation and management measures for shark species and advocate for a worldwide ban of shark finning
- encourages the reduction of demand for shark fins
- fights against shark fins trafficking
See also the Commission’s response, factsheet and the Communication from the Commission on the European Citizens' Initiative (ECI) "Stop Finning - Stop the Trade"
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