A ban on shark finning in UK waters is to be introduced by the government. The practice, which involves slicing fins from sharks at sea and dumping their bodies overboard - often while still alive - has been heavily criticised by campaigners and blamed for pushing many shark species to the brink of extinction.
Shark finning was banned by the EU in 2003 but loopholes in the legislation have allowed fishing boats in UK waters to continue finning. It is estimated that hundreds of tonnes of shark fin have been landed since the European "ban" was introduced. A ban is enforced in Galapagos and many of our readers will be surprised to learn that shark finning has been permitted in UK waters.
The government has decided to close this loophole, following the passing of an early day motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP on 29 March 2009. MPs demanded that "on no occasion should the UK government approve any derogation from the shark finning legislation in order to allow UK-registered vessels to remove shark fins at sea".
The government has agreed to follow the example set by MPs; a decision that will be warmly received by wildlife groups, who have long campaigned for the UK to introduce a ban on finning.
Shark finning was banned by the EU in 2003 but loopholes in the legislation have allowed fishing boats in UK waters to continue finning. It is estimated that hundreds of tonnes of shark fin have been landed since the European "ban" was introduced. A ban is enforced in Galapagos and many of our readers will be surprised to learn that shark finning has been permitted in UK waters.
The government has decided to close this loophole, following the passing of an early day motion tabled by Martin Horwood MP on 29 March 2009. MPs demanded that "on no occasion should the UK government approve any derogation from the shark finning legislation in order to allow UK-registered vessels to remove shark fins at sea".
The government has agreed to follow the example set by MPs; a decision that will be warmly received by wildlife groups, who have long campaigned for the UK to introduce a ban on finning.
