EU Plan of Action for the Conservation of Sharks released
 On 4 February 2009 the Shark Alliance celebrated the release of the European Commission’s long-awaited Plan of Action for the Conservation of Sharks. The Plan sets the stage for sweeping improvements in European Union (EU) shark fishing and protection policies, by aiming to improve information about shark fisheries, end shark overfishing, pay special attention to threatened shark species, and close loopholes in the EU ban on shark finning.
This was welcome news, but the success of the plan depends on prompt implementation and follow-through on commitments, for which the EU still has a mixed record. Last December, EU Fisheries Ministers agreed landmark protection for four highly endangered shark and ray species and yet also adopted excessive 2009 quotas for severely overfished spurdog and porbeagle sharks. The new Shark Plan dictates that catch limits be set in line with scientific advice. In order to be in line with the Plan, therefore, managers must set 2010 limits for spurdog and porbeagle, as well as deepwater sharks, at zero.
 Sharks Get a Lifeline through New EU Action Plan, 4 February 2009
EU Fisheries Ministers Fail Critically Endangered Sharks, 19 December 2009
EU Ministers act to protect angel sharks & endangered rays
EU Member State Challenge – is your country helping or hurting sharks?
 In order to encourage EU Member States to actively promote prompt implementation of the Shark Plan, the Shark Alliance has launched the EU Member State Challenge. Based on information collected on the positions, statements and actions of Member States regarding the Shark Plan, EU countries will be placed into four final categories ranging from “Shark Champion” to “Hurting the Sharks”. The 2009 Shark Champions will be announced after European Ministers agree Council Conclusions on the Shark Plan, expected in April.
Since the beginning of 2009, Shark Alliance members have met with Ministers around Europe to discuss the EU Shark Plan and present over 100,000 petition signatures in support of shark conservation collected during European Shark Week 2008. Productive meetings with high-ranking UK and German officials helped to put those countries in a strong position to become shark champions. Denmark and Sweden are also in the lead.
Find out whether your country is helping or hurting sharks
EU proposals threaten Indian Ocean ban on shark finning
 In February, with the release of the EU Shark Plan, the European Commission pledged to strengthen the EU finning ban by requiring that shark fins and bodies be landed simultaneously and reducing the fin to carcass ratio used for enforcement. In March, however, the Commission released a European Community (EC) proposal for the annual meeting of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) that stood to abolish the region’s fin to carcass ratio and weaken the ban on shark finning. The Commission failed to consult conservation groups on their proposal to replace the IOTC ratio with measures that are even more difficult to enforce and involve placing severed fins in plastic bags, a serious threat to endangered marine life such as sea turtles and birds. Shark Alliance members were part of 70 conservation, marine science, diving and sport fishing groups from around the world who united to oppose the proposed changes through a letter to the IOTC Chair. Shark Alliance Policy Director, Sonja Fordham, and Policy Advisor, Sandrine Polti, participated as observers to the IOTC meeting where they delivered the group letter and relayed its main points. The EC proposal was merged with a similar but less dangerous one from Australia and eventually defeated, primarily due to opposition from Japan and Korea.
Shark Alliance press release, 03 April 2009
European Shark Week a resounding success
 The second annual European Shark Week, 11-19 October, featured more than 79 events and 230 activities in 10 European countries. Around 113,000 people from around Europe signed the petition calling on European fisheries and environment ministers to promote a strong European Plan of Action for sharks.
Events during the week included an underwater treasure hunt in the Netherlands, a shark photo exhibit in Germany, and sleepovers with sharks in Spain. In addition, inspiring talks, exciting debates and fascinating film viewings were hosted at marinas, schools and aquariums around Malta, Italy, France, Germany, Poland, Sweden and the UK.
Watch this space for the announcement of European Shark Week 2009!
Find out more about the activities that took place around Europe
Visit the photo gallery for a snapshot
Picture wall
The Shark Alliance was initiated, and is coordinated, by the Pew Environment Group, the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
The Shark Alliance was initiated, and is coordinated, by the Pew Environment Group, the conservation arm of The Pew Charitable Trusts, a non-governmental, non-profit organisation. Pew applies a rigorous, analytical approach to improving public policy, informing the public and stimulating civic life.
Unsubscribe from this newsletter by logging in and updating your preferences in 'My profile'
|
|  | | What's in this newsletter | | | | | | |  | |  | | In the news |  | |  | | | | | | | | | | | | EU Member State Challenge | | | | | | | | | | | Join us on Facebook | | | | | | | | | | | Take action feed | | | | | | | | | | | Get the Shark Alliance toolbar | | | | | | |
|
