Join the campaign to stop shark finning

The UK continues to allow fishermen to remove shark fins at sea  under an exception to the EU finning ban. In 2003 the EU adopted the regulation prohibiting the removal of shark fins at sea, but under the provision of Special Fishing Permits, the UK still allows this to continue in our waters. UK registered vessels annually land over 80 tonnes of shark fins, increasing the pressure exerted on shark species which are particularly susceptible to overfishing due to their reproductive strategies. Sharks and rays (cartilaginous fish) invest a large amount of energy in producing a small number of well developed young and so reproduce infrequently. Unlike bony fish species which release millions of eggs into the water and leave fertilisation and development almost to chance, shark and ray eggs are fertilised internally. This reproductive strategy means that shark populations cannot sustain high levels of fishing as they will not be able to reproduce as fast as individuals are lost.

The Shark Trust is working to protecting shark and ray species around the world and have launched a campaign to put pressure on the UK Government to prevent shark finning from continuing in UK waters.  Find out more about the work of the Shark Trust and support their campaign to ensure the survival of British shark and ray populations.