The European Commission has issued a call for evidence on the potential ban of sales and international trade of loose shark fins
The European Commission has issued a call for evidence, inviting views and expertise on the potential ban of sales and international trade of loose shark fins within the European Union.
The initiative follows the 2023 European citizens’ initiative titled “Stop Finning – Stop the Trade,” aiming to address critical concerns raised by citizens regarding the health of marine ecosystems.
Commissioner for Environment, Oceans, and Fisheries, Virginijus Sinkevicius, emphasised the importance of the citisens’ initiative, stating, “We committed to thoroughly consider this matter and to run an impact assessment on trade measures that could potentially halt shark finning and support shark conservation efforts.”
The call for evidence seeks insights from a diverse audience, including organisations and individuals involved in marine resource conservation, stakeholders with economic interests related to shark products, researchers, and consumer representatives. The goal is to gather comprehensive feedback on the environmental, social, and economic implications of a potential ban on shark fin trade.
The call, open for twelve weeks until May 16, 2024, will be accompanied by an open public consultation featuring an online questionnaire. The information collected from both avenues will contribute to an ongoing impact assessment process.
As part of the European Commission’s response to the citizens’ initiative, measures under consideration include allowing the commercialisation of sharks only when their fins are attached. This applies to both consumption within the EU and international trade. The objective is to better protect sharks and maintain the balance of marine ecosystems.
The European Commission’s response, presented in July 2023, already includes measures such as enhanced enforcement of existing conservation measures and intensified international outreach to reduce shark fin consumption and end finning practices globally.
Sharks, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems, are vulnerable to human activities, with over one-third of shark species currently facing extinction threats. The European Commission recognises shark finning as a significant threat to these species and aims to address this concern through a well-informed, participatory, and transparent decision-making process. The impact assessment will consider environmental, social, and economic impacts before formulating potential future actions.