Commissioner Damanaki welcomes protection of shark and ray species threatened by unsustainable trade
Since 14 September 2014, eight shark and ray species have received extra protection from unsustainable trade. They have been listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and now have to be accompanied by export or import permits issued by EU countries when they enter or leave the EU market. The eight species - porbeagle, oceanic whitetip shark, scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead shark, smooth hammerhead shark and manta rays – were earmarked for protection in March 2013 and join three shark species - basking shark, great white shark, whale shark – already on the CITES list.
Commissioner Damanaki welcomed this step: “The importance of protecting sharks and rays from unsustainable trade cannot be overstated: millions of shark specimens are traded annually, mostly for their fins. We have seen alarming declines in the number of sharks over the past years in all our oceans. Being listed on CITES means that control will be easier and unsustainable trade in sharks and rays much more difficult to hide. The EU played a key role to bring about this hugely important development together with its international partners.”
The Commissioner added: “I am also proud that with our full ban on shark finning at seas, the EU is among world leaders in shark protection. Shark finning is a cruel practice that must be stopped. Sharks are more vulnerable to over-exploitation than many other fish, because their reproductive cycle is so long. Once stocks have collapsed it may take many decades for them to recover. We can only eradicate this practice if we work together at international level.”
For further information: Eight sharks and ray species to be protected by international convention on endangered species
(Photograph © Fuensanta Candela Castillo, European Communities)
