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European plan to protect sharks welcomed

DEPARTMENT FOR ENVIRONMENT, FOOD AND RURAL AFFAIRS News Release (91/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service on 23 April 2009

UK Fisheries Minister Huw Irranca-Davies, today welcomed the adoption of the Council Conclusions on the EU Shark Action Plan.

Huw Irranca-Davies said
"We must do all we can to protect and sustainably manage these vulnerable species. I am delighted that Council Conclusions on the Action Plan have been adopted, and am personally pleased to see a commitment in the conclusions to reviewing the Council Regulation on shark finning.

"It is essential that this regulation is strengthened to ensure the wasteful practice of removing fins and discarding the carcass at sea cannot occur and I will also be considering if the UK should cease to issue special fishing permits that allow fins to be removed at sea.

"The UK will be working hard to ensure that the plan produces robust, workable and effective measures."

The Shark Action Plan includes measures to:
1. Ensure that directed fisheries for shark are sustainable and that by-catches from other fisheries are properly regulated;

2. Improve knowledge both on shark fisheries and on shark species and their role in the ecosystem;

3. To encourage a consistent approach inside and out EC waters with endorsement from Regional Fisheries Management Organisations and others.

Welcoming the announcement, Ali Hood Director of Conservation at the Shark Trust said:

"A coherent approach to shark conservation and management is long overdue and the Community Plan of Action for Sharks represents a framework for positive action, what we urgently need now is demonstrations of commitment by Member States to deliver on the promises of the Council Conclusions. The Shark Trust was pleased by the degree of support demonstrated by the UK Government who sought every opportunity to ensure the Council Conclusions could deliver on the plans potential.

"The Trust is encouraged that the Council have prioritised the need for a revision of the shark finning ban, and its associated derogations, which currently allow the removal of shark fins at sea through the allocation of Special Fishing Permits. The Shark Trust will continue to advocate for the UK Government to cease the provision of Special Fishing Permits, the UK registered holders of which currently land over 80 tonnes of shark fins per year.

"Although the Council's proposal to improve the knowledge on sharks and their role in the ecosystem is welcomed, the Trust is concerned that some member States may use the need for increased data collection as an excuse to maintain the status quo - with over 30% of Europe's sharks already threatened with extinction in the wild one certainty is that action is required as a matter of urgency."

Notes to Editors:

1. The Community's Plan of Action for sharks, skates, rays and chimaeras was released on the 6th of February this year. The plan is a framework document that sets out a range of potential measures (both mandatory and voluntary) to be implemented at Member State, European Community level and within Regional Management Organisations. A number of the measures will be introduced through new legislative proposals or by amending existing legislation.

2. The UK was successful in amending these conclusions to instil a focus on science, a clear timetable for the implementation of the plan of action and the provision of progress reports, as we see these areas as key the success of the plans three policy aims.

3. The Shark Trust: Established in 1997, the Shark Trust is the UK registered charity which works to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks, skates and rays through science, education, influence and action. The Trust is led by a board of Trustees who oversee a small dedicated team, who are further supported by a voluntary Scientific Committee, and a growing number of supporters and volunteers.

4. The Trust works through cross-sectoral collaboration and where possible works with governments and industry to attain sustainable goals.

For images and interviews with the Shark Trust please contact Ali Hood, Director of Conservation 01752 672020 ali@sharktrust.org

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