Shark Trade Limits Endorsed by European Union

Germany wins EU blessing to propose spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks for listing under CITES As a member of the Shark Alliance, Project AWARE Foundation applauses a recent decision by European Union Member States to support Germany's proposals to provide protection for spiny dogfish sharks (Squalus acanthias) and porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Following debate at the European Commission's CITES Committee, the proposals received the qualified majority needed to advance to the Conference of the Parties to CITES in June 2007. "By adopting these landmark proposals, the European Union is poised to lead the world toward sustainable, international trade in commercially important sharks and these oft-disregarded species will at last get the global attention they need," said Sonja Fordham, Policy Director for the Shark Alliance. "We thank Germany for their diligence and urge all EU Member States to promote the adoption of these sound proposals at next year's CITES meeting." Spiny dogfish are sought primarily for their meat which is exported from all corners of the globe to satisfy European demand for fish and chips and smoked belly flaps. Fisheries generally target pregnant females resulting in severe population damage. Porbeagle meat is particularly prized in Europe while fins are exported to Asia for use in shark fin soup. Germany proposed the listings to ensure international trade in these vulnerable species is limited to sustainable levels. Serious depletion from overfishing has landed spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The Northeast and Northwest Atlantic populations are considered Critically Endangered and Endangered, respectively. Still, allowable catch levels continue to be set well above scientific advice. The EU Council sets their spiny dogfish and porbeagle catch limits later this week. "International trade limits are essential, but won't save spiny dogfish and porbeagle populations in EU waters," added Fordham. "The EU must follow this responsible, international stance with science based decisions for sharks in EU waters. We urge Member States to vote at the Fisheries and Agriculture Council meeting this week to end fishing for these depleted species, as recommended by scientists." In line with this decision, Project AWARE also handed over a petition to list 10 sharks species under CITES to the EU Commissioner for the Environment, Mr. Stavros Dimas during a meeting in December 2006. The petition contained over 30,000 signatures from over 53 countries to help put added pressure on the EU. Project AWARE is pleased to report that the efforts to collect signatures and the work done as part of the Shark Alliance contributed to the positive outcome in the EU's decision to support the recommendation to CITES. For more information on how you can help protect shark species please visit http://www.projectaware.org/asiapac/english/educations/protecttheshark.asp or http://www.sharkalliance.org

Notes to Editors The Shark Alliance is a coalition of international non-governmental organizations dedicated to restoring and conserving shark populations by improving European fishing policy. Members include Project AWARE Foundation, The Pew Charitable Trusts, the European Elasmobranch Association, MarViva, The Ocean Conservancy, Oceana, PADI International and The Shark Trust.

Project AWARE Foundation is the dive industry's leading nonprofit environmental organisation dedicated to conserving underwater environments through education, advocacy and action. Project AWARE Foundation offices located in Australia, United States, Japan, the United Kingdom and Switzerland combine efforts to conserve aquatic resources in 175 countries around the world.

Contributed by Joanne Marston added 2007-01-15