The Issue

Blue Shark © Charles Hood
The Shark Trust’s No Limits? campaign highlights the urgent need to introduce science-based catch limits for unmanaged shark species. Blue Sharks and Shortfin Makos are caught in vast numbers on the high seas, while species such as Tope, smoothhounds and catsharks are caught in coastal fisheries. Together, these species account for over 90% of reported shark landings in the Atlantic, yet no international management measures are in place.
Historically, only a few high value sharks were targeted by fishing vessels for their meat, fins and liver oil. Most species included in the No Limits? campaign were an unwanted, discarded part of the bycatch in fisheries for more valuable bony fishes (such as cod and tuna). However, due to increased retention for meat, diversification of fisheries, and a decline of target species (e.g. swordfish), landings have soared over the past decade. With no catch limits set for many species of shark, huge pressure is now placed on these populations.
Progress
EU bans shark finning
The EU adopted a regulation banning shark finning (the removal of shark fins while at sea and the discarding of the carcass). However the regulation contained a loophole which provided an opportunity for shark finning to continue undetected and unpunished.
EU shark management plan
The EU finally adopted the Community Plan of Action-Sharks (CPOA-shark) – which contained an action to review and implement the European shark finning regulation.
Fins naturally attached
The requirement to land sharks with their fins naturally attached finally came into force, establishing best-practice for the EU fleet worldwide, and representing the culmination of well over ten years work for the Shark Trust and our colleagues.
Launch of No Limits? campaign
With the support of UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice and campaign Ambassador Steve Backshall, the Shark Trust launched No Limits?.
Proposals for No Limits? species
The EU presented proposals at ICCAT for high-seas management of Atlantic Blue Sharks and Shortfin Makos. These proposals did not gain the necessary traction and fisheries remain unlimited.
Shark League formed
The Shark League for the Atlantic and Mediterranean was formed by the Shark Trust, Shark Advocates International, Project Aware and Ecology Action Centre. This coalition focuses its efforts on advocating for catch limits, better protections for endangered species and enforceable shark finning bans in Regional Fisheries Management Organisations.
Modest Atlantic Limit on Blues
An EU proposal lead to the adoption of a modest measure for Blue Sharks at ICCAT – this was a small yet unprecedented step toward establishing limits on Blue Shark catches from the North Atlantic.
Petitions delivered to EU Commission
In March, the Shark Trust delivered over 130,000 signatures supporting the call to end uncontrolled shark fishing to the EU Commission in Brussels.
"Binding Recommendation" for Mako
Scientific advice recommended that to stop overfishing and give the best chance of recovery, a complete ban on retaining Shortfin Mako should be implemented. Management fell short, but there is now a Binding Recommendation requiring live release.
No Limits? Mako’ver
With scientists focusing their attention on Shortfin Makos at ICCAT as it was a stock assessment year, campaign focus also shifted from Blue Sharks to Shortfin Mako.
Move4Makos Campaign
UK shark lovers come out to show support for makos. #Move4Makos got people running, cycling, climbing, swimming, boating, skating…you name it. All to show support for science-based catch limits.
ICCAT Stalemate on Mako
Support at ICCAT annual meeting for Mako. A science-led retention ban proposed by 10 countries. But opposition from EU and US prevented any action to halt unsustainable fishing.
EU and US do it again...
For the second year, EU and US blocked progress towards a science-based ban on Mako fisheries in the North Atlantic. A special ICCAT “inter-sessional” meeting on Mako agreed for July 2021
Reprieve for Mako
EU Member State scientists reviewing mako obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) issued an “opinion” that points to EU Member States banning North Atlantic Shortfin Mako imports, including those introduced from the high seas by EU fishing vessels.
The Sharks
No Limits? focuses on Blue Sharks and Shortfin Makos. These are highly migratory species mainly caught on the high seas, and therefore are in need of international management. Coastal species such as Tope, catsharks (Smallspotted Catshark and Nursehound) and smoothhounds (Starry Smoothhound and Common Smoothhound) are also caught in increasing numbers and currently lack regional management. We want to see measures brought in for these often overlooked species which are caught in mixed fisheries. While Tope have limited management in the UK, this needs to be extended across their range.
The Underdogs

Smoothhound © Peter Verhoog
High Seas Sharks

Blue Shark and Shortfin Mako © Andy Murch
Download Shark ID Guides
Get Involved
No Limits? appeals to the public to support the adoption of science-based catch limits for species currently without management. Action is needed before it’s too late and today’s commercial shark species follow other previously abundant Atlantic stocks into collapse. Don’t forget that although the campaign focusses on EU fishing vessels this is a global issue, which will affect shark populations worldwide.
GET THE KIDS INVOLVED — It’s vital that the future generation have their say. Colour in and make your own shark chatterbox and write your own Shortfin Mako facts inside. Don’t forget to send us photos of your creations!
SPREAD THE WORD — Social media is a powerful tool, spreading information far and wide in just one click. Follow the campaign on Facebook and Twitter, and share using #NoLimitsNoFuture #MakeTime4Makos and #Move4Makos

Steve Backshall signs the No Limits? petition.
What our supporters say…
“Over the last year alone, I’ve had the great privilege of many hours underwater with sharks of various shapes and sizes. Many have been smaller species, such as the catsharks, Tope and smoothhound you commonly see on British dives. However, I’ve also dived outside the cage with Great White Sharks, gone nose to nose with Tigers and Bulls, and followed Pilot Whales in order to freedive with the Oceanic Whitetips that trail them. I’ve shared the seas with makos – the fastest shark on earth, as well as Lemon Sharks, Silkies and various reef sharks. Every encounter has been a true wonder, and I have learned to not only respect, but deeply love these majestic, exciting creatures. I’ve also found out through experience quite how harmless to humans these ancient animals really are.
“The work that the Shark Trust does in raising awareness of the plight of these iconic species is really, really important, these are incredibly charismatic species yet they face a number of important threats: habitat loss, secondly climate change, thirdly – and perhaps most importantly – the damage caused by unregulated fishing practices.
Press
EU Action Sets Up Mako Sharks for New Year Reprieve
Conservationists are closing the year with hope for endangered North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks as EU level decisions point to unprecedented 2021 limits for some of the world’s top mako fishing countries, particularly Spain and Portugal.
North Atlantic ban championed by Canada, Senegal, and the UK thwarted in virtual ICCAT meeting
Conservationists are outraged that the European Union and the United States – despite long promoting science-based shark conservation – once again served as the main obstacles to urgently needed protections for mako sharks through annual negotiations of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
Canada Steps Up with Bid to Save Endangered Atlantic Mako Sharks
Endangered Atlantic Shortfin Mako Sharks are set to take center stage in the 2020 deliberations of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), with Canada today proposing science-based catch limits that include a complete retention ban to protect the seriously overfished North Atlantic population.
Canada Protects Endangered Mako Sharks with Groundbreaking Atlantic Ban
Canada announces groundbreaking move to protect Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic after a sustained campaign by the Shark League to follow the advice of ICCAT scientists.
EU and US Prevent Vital Protections for Endangered Mako Sharks
Conservationists are shocked and distressed that the European Union and the United States – despite long promoting science-based shark conservation – were the main obstacles to the adoption of urgently needed protections for mako sharks at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).
EU Holds the Cards for Endangered Atlantic Sharks
It’s make or break time for Shortfin Makos as Spain sets to host international fisheries meeting. Conservationists are focused on the European Union ahead of an international gathering of fishing nations that could make or break the future of Endangered mako sharks.
Contact

Write to us
The Shark Trust, 4 Creykes Court, The Millfields, Plymouth, Devon, PL1 3JB, United Kingdom
Follow us
Write to us
Shark Trust
4 Creykes Court
The Millfields
Plymouth
Devon
PL1 3JB
United Kingdom