Shark Alliance goes global
 For the last three years, the Shark Alliance has successfully campaigned to improve the European Union’s management of shark fisheries. While there is still work to do to strengthen the EU shark finning regulation (see below), we met our primary objective of adoption of a solid European Community Plan of Action (CPOA) for the Sharks earlier this year. The dedicated and diverse Shark Alliance coalition that helped realize this important goal has grown from five to 75 groups from not only the EU, but around the world. Congratulations to all who have joined in this success.
Following a recent decision by the Pew Environment Group to increase investment in shark conservation on a global scale, the Shark Alliance Steering Group voted in July to expand its work and pursue the following goals:
- Stronger shark finning policies
- A nation-wide US prohibition on the removal of shark fins at sea
- Safeguards and conservation guidance for sharks through CITES
- International shark fishing limits in accordance with scientific advice and the precautionary approach
- Improved domestic measures and international positions on sharks from key nations
- Stronger, more specific calls for shark conservation from the United Nations
Nearly all Shark Alliance members have overwhelmingly and enthusiastically voted to support this move and remain members of the coalition under this broader purpose. We anticipate increasing further still the number of partners in international shark conservation and welcome the opportunity to collaborate.
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Strengthening the EU finning ban
 The EU includes several major shark fishing nations with vessels operating all over the world. As such, strengthening the EU’s rules banning shark finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea) is essential to ending this wasteful practice on a global scale. In April, EU Fisheries Ministers called on the European Commission to ensure the timely implementation of the Community Plan of Action for sharks (CPOA) through specific follow-up actions, including, as a priority, a proposal to strengthen the finning ban, but five months later, the Commission has yet to act.
The success of the Plan depends on prompt, follow-up proposals from the Commission and cooperation from EU Member States in ensuring improvements are adopted and properly enforced. The Shark Alliance will continue to press for these actions with an immediate focus on strengthening EU policies and positions on finning.
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Coming up: European Shark Week 2009
This year’s European Shark Week will take place from 10-18 October. Last year’s European Shark Week saw more than 200 activities, with over 100,000 people signing a petition calling on European fisheries and environment ministers to promote a strong CPOA. This year’s focus is on building support for the urgently needed revisions to the EU finning ban.
 Find out more about European Shark Week:
Come to an event near you
If you can’t make it to a European Shark Week event, please sign the petition addressed to Spain's Prime Minister Rodríguez Zapatero calling on Spain, as Europe’s top shark fishing nation, to actively promote rather than hinder (as it has in the past) a stronger EU finning ban.
Sign the petition on-line
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Palau's President declares nation's territorial waters a Shark Sanctuary
During the United Nations General Assembly, the President of the Pacific Island nation of Palau declared the country’s entire territorial waters – roughly the size of France – a Shark Sanctuary, with no commercial shark fishing or retention of shark bycatch. This announcement came after the Pew Global Shark Conservation campaign visited Palau in August to discuss shark protections with policymakers and the public. Find out more
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More Shark Alliance news
Shark Alliance Welcomes Spanish Protections for Threatened Sharks - 5 Oct 2009 English / Spanish
Shark Trade Limits Endorsed by European Union - 24 Sept 2009
Shark conservation takes center stage at international tuna summit - 3 Jul 2009
Third of open ocean sharks threatened with extinction - 25 Jun 2009
New poll, report reveal Spanish unwittingly eat shark - 28 May 2009
Shark Alliance Names "Shark Champions" for 2009 - 29 Apr 2009
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Summer activities from our members
 Week of Shark Protection in Portugal, 14-20 Sept 2009 (slideshow)
Los ciudadanos europeos exigirán a Zapatero que cambie su política respecto a los tiburones, 27 agosto 2009
Dive for sharks website
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.
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Image credit: Porbeagle © Andy Murch
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