Win For Sharks As UK Proposes Shark Fin Import / Export Ban
In a potential win for sharks, the UK has proposed an action plan that intends to prohibit the import and export of detached shark fins to and from the UK. The DEFRA report which can be read here: Action Plan for Animal Welfare proposes a number of animal welfare changes for the country, including protections for pets, farmed animals and wild animals.
Shark Guardian ambassador Robin Gallagher initially launched a petition to stop the trade of shark fins in the UK, with Shark Guardian later officially joining the fight by launching their “Finspire Change” campaign. The UK government had initially responded to the petition after 10,000 signatures suggesting that the current rules in place were adequate enough to deal with the issue. After the petition gained over 115,000 signatures they were forced to respond again, with another revised response very similar in content to their first response. However, in a dramatic U-turn in December 2020 the government launched a call for evidence on the shark fin trade. It was at this point scientists and shark NGOs working on this issue across the UK submitted their findings, which has ultimately led to the governments change of heart.
As it stands, it is currently legal for any person to bring 20kg of dried shark fin into the UK according to the “fish and fish product” allowances set by UK Border Force. This can equate to varying numbers of individual sharks, depending on their size. Some of these fins can be from shark species that are listed as threatened under CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species).
”The issue here is that it can sometimes be difficult, depending on the species, to determine which fins belong to what shark from a visual standpoint at the border.” said shark scientist Kristian Parton
“Without DNA analysis – which UK border control don’t currently have, it’s tricky for untrained officers to tell whether the fin belongs to a species that has been sustainably fished, or whether it’s from an endangered shark species. The technology does exist though!”
“I personally think what we need to do as a country is to try and obtain more data on the scale of this issue in the UK, whilst also potentially looking at expanding our border techniques to be able to link a fin to a particular species. Perhaps a ban allows more time to discuss these options.”
“Sustainable shark fisheries are definitely a thing, and it’s important to mention that. Bans that damage those fisheries could potentially present issues for shark conservation further down the line.”
Katie Woodroffe, Shark Guardian campaign manager said, “Today’s announcement from the UK government shows extremely promising plans to address and improve animal welfare across several areas.”
“The ban on the trade of detached fins comes at a time where our oceans face unprecedented threats. A much-needed move, to not only provide tighter controls over the UKs involvement in the global trade, but to also to set a precedent for other nations to follow suit”
Currently have legislature on shark finning in varying degrees. Notice that the majority of the western hemisphere are covered and yet the Asiatic countries have made none as of yet.
“This is just a small win for sharks, and a small part of such a bigger picture, but we are one small step closer to offering the protection they deserve.”
The UK government will now look to implement legislation that prevents this trade from happening moving into the future, and it will be interesting to see what kind of an impact the ban is actually going to have on both the shark fin trade in the UK and shark conservation in general.
Follow Kristian on Twitter @KjParton and check out Shark Bytes:
Follow Katie of Shark Guardian on Instagram: @Katy_Jane