SSACN Press release – EU Shark Plan
“Scottish sea anglers welcome EU shark plan”
SSACN launch the Scottish Shark Tagging Programme
The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) has been lobbying both the EU and Scottish parliament for a coherent approach to shark conservation and management for a number of years.
The EC has finally announced their conclusions and priority actions regarding the Community Plan of Action for Sharks (CPOA) which is a framework document that sets out a range of potential measures (both mandatory and voluntary) to be implemented at Member State, and European Community level .
The CPOA is essential because as a result of overfishing and poor fisheries management most European shark populations are in decline; one-third of assessed species are classified by IUCN as Threatened with extinction.
According to Ian Burrett, SSACN’s Project Director “This is a great starting point for our native sharks.
"Most sharks are particularly vulnerable to overfishing because they grow slowly, mature late and produce few young. Serious gaps remain in our understanding of shark biology and the recording of shark catches. We look forward to working with the government to ensure the recommendations of the plan are carried out.
"We must do all we can to protect and sustainably manage these vulnerable species. Perhaps now we can also put an end to the barbaric practise of finning which allows the removal of fins and discarding the carcass. The UK is one of five nations that still issue these special permits and over 80 tonnes of shark fins are landed in the UK each year."
The CPOA calls for a greater understanding of European sharks and to help facilitate this SSACN has recently launched the Scottish Shark Tagging programme. Data gathered from the programme will identify shark dynamics, migratory routes and growth rates and will help identify nursery and breeding areas.
Referring to the proposed Plan Of Action, Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said, “We know that some shark populations in Scotland are critically endangered. As one of Europe’s most important fishing nations, we welcome the decision to prioritise this Shark Action Plan to ensure that sharks are given adequate protection. In Scotland we are working closely with the industry and NGOs, and we look forward to working with the Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network to develop robust, workable procedures.”
ENDS::
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SSACN Media Enquiries ::
Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN)
62 Lounsdale Drive
Paisley
Renfrewshire
PA2 9ED
Website :: www.ssacn.org email contact :: contact@ssacn.org
The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network (SSACN) is a Charity registered in Scotland.
SSACN was established to lead a unified, coordinated and comprehensive approach to international, national and local conservation issues which may affect recreational sea angling in Scotland.
The 2007 Marine Environment Inquiry report by the Environment and Rural Development Committee of the Scottish Government recognised that conservation in the marine environment has historically been very low on the agenda for politicians in Scotland.
SSACN campaigns and works with statutory bodies for the continual improvement of Scottish RSA fisheries and access for all anglers to them so that sea anglers can effectively enjoy their sport within fisheries managed for the benefit of all and not just a select few commercial interests.
Issue ::
Related pages ::
http://www.ssacn.org/sharks-fighting-for-survival/
http://www.ssacn.org/sharks-fighting-for-survival/porbeagle-shark-fact-sheet/
http://www.ssacn.org/spurdog/fact-sheet/
The Community Plan of Action for Sharks (CPOA) comes nearly ten years after the governments of the United Nations pledged to produce shark conservation plans for their waters. Today’s announcement is the culmination of years of campaigning by SSACN and many other organisations.
Europe’s role in the shark fin trade is often overlooked, but with about 30% of the fins entering the Hong Kong fin trade originating from European vessels 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.
Five countries issue Special Fishing Permits: Spain, Portugal, Germany, Lithuania and the UK – UK permit holders currently land over 80 tonnes of shark fins per year. The fin of a basking shark, legally protected by Europe, can fetch as much as £7,000 in Asia, while the average shark-fin sells for about £175 per lb.
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