European Union Shark Conservation Action Plan
Shark Finning, Sustainable Fisheries and Bycatch Problems Addressed
Sep 9, 2009
The European Union’s Shark Action Plan calls for reduction in shark fishery quotas and zero catch rates for some deep-sea shark species. What it fails to do is to require the collection of important data on sharks and to ensure that new regulations on shark finning are enforced.
European Shark Species at Risk
There is still much to be learned about shark biology and population status. Many species which may be endangered are listed as Vulnerable as population trends are unknown at the present time. The results of a conservation survey released by the IUCN’s Shark Specialist Group in June, 2009 suggest that one third of all open ocean sharks may face extinction unless significant changes are made to the shark management worldwide. Some species are critically endangered within European waters.
The porbeagle shark (Lamna nasus), the spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias), Deep-sea gulper shark (Centrophorus ganulosus), the common skate (Dipturus batis), the Angel shark (Squatina squatina) and the shortfin mako shark (Isurus oxyrinchus) are all listed as Critically Endangered either within Europe or throughout their range. Even the great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), which is found throughout the oceans of the world, is listed as Vulnerable and may soon be placed on the endangered list as more data becomes available.
Of the above listed sharks the porbeagle and spiny dogfish are heavily fished for food. The deep-sea gulper is affected by increasing interest in deep-sea shark meat and liver oil. The skate and angel shark are trawl net bycatch victims.
Shark Conservation Action Plan Points
- Ensure sustainability of shark fisheries
- Regulate shark bycatch in other fisheries
- Increase knowledge of shark species, their role in the ecosystem and the impact of fisheries on them
- Develop a consistent approach to shark conservation and fisheries management inside and out of European waters
Conservation Groups Express Concerns About Weaknesses in the Shark Action Plan
At present EU shark finning regulations are less stringent than those in Canada and the US yet Europe is home to some of the world’s largest fishing fleets. While the Shark Alliance, World Wildlife Fund and TRAFFIC (wildlife trade monitoring network) all support the adoption of the plan, these conservation organizations feel more needs to be done to prevent the extinction of many shark species.
Present shark finning regulations allow for removal of fins at sea. This makes it impossible to determine whether the fins were from sharks taken in the permitted fisheries or if illegal shark finning occurred.
Voluntary data collection by the shark fisheries is also a concern. With so little known about many shark species it is critical that actual take in the fisheries is monitored. Details about size and weight of animals taken can help determine the health of local populations of various shark species. Data from the fisheries where bycatch is an issue is also important in determining the health of shark populations.
The European Union Shark Conservation Action Plan will help to keep concerns about declining shark populations in the forefront. And growing awareness of the role that sharks play in ocean ecosystems may help increase protection for them.
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