MOROCCO// Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to adopt recommended limits to protect shortfin mako sharks from overfishing or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. The only new shark agreement resulting from the eight day meeting takes a phased in approach to narrow the conditions under which shortfin makos can be landed, but includes numerous exceptions and applies only to the North Atlantic. ICCAT’s scientists had recommended mako catch cuts in the South Atlantic, and a full ban on retention in the North Atlantic to allow the depleted population to rebuild over 20 years.

“We are deeply disappointed that ICCAT has fallen so short of the clearest scientific advice to date for shortfin mako sharks, and are thereby leaving this exceptionally vulnerable species at risk for population collapse,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International, a project of The Ocean Foundation. “This measure is only a first step to addressing a true crisis for North Atlantic makos, and must be viewed as a wake up call and springboard for additional action, including immediate catch reductions.”

The EU, US, and Japan proposed cutting North Atlantic mako catch from current levels (~3400t) to 500t, the level that would stop overfishing, along with other measures. Morocco, the host country whose mako landings are on the rise, countered with 1500t. In the end, the Parties could not agree on a catch limit and instead mandated that North Atlantic makos brought to boat alive must be carefully released, unless the country has imposed a minimum size limit (at the length of maturity) or a discard ban (that prevents profit). Dead makos can be still be landed (and sold) by boats under 12 meters, as well as by larger vessels under certain conditions for monitoring catch and reporting data. Whether new restrictions end up cutting catch sufficiently to stop overfishing will be evaluated in 2018. ICCAT can take additional action then, and has ordered scientific analyses in 2019 on which to develop a more comprehensive rebuilding plan.

An EU proposal to limit South Atlantic shortfin mako catches to 2000t, as advised by scientists, failed after Brazil announced their need to have the tonnage allocated to individual Parties, effectively running out the clock.

“We now turn our focus to the top mako fishing countries, particularly those that still have no limits on mako catch: Spain, Portugal, Morocco, and Brazil,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “We urge these countries and the EU to begin work immediately on measures to halt mako overfishing and begin rebuilding the beleaguered North Atlantic population, and to curb South Atlantic catches to avoid a similar crisis there.”

Twenty-two Parties — including, for the first time, Canada — co-sponsored a proposal to strengthen the ICCAT ban on finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea) by replacing a problematic fin-to-carcass ratio with a more enforceable requirement that sharks be landed with their fins attached. Cote d’Ivoire, Iceland, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and the Republic of Guinea joined the chorus of support from the floor. Just two countries — Japan and China — blocked the measure, as they have for several years.

“We are dismayed that Japan and China have yet again stood in the way of an enforceable ICCAT shark finning ban proposed by Parties from all sides of the Atlantic,” said Ania Budziak, Associate Director for Project AWARE. “We are pleased, however — after much work with colleagues and scuba divers — to welcome Canada as a new co-sponsor of this key initiative to promote best practices for responsible shark fisheries management.”

Media contacts: Sophie Hulme, email: sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk, tel: +447973712869

Notes to Editors: Shark Advocates International is a project of The Ocean Foundation dedicated to securing science-based policies for sharks and rays. The Shark Trust is a UK charity working to safeguard the future of sharks through positive change. Focused on sharks in peril and marine debris, Project AWARE is a growing movement of scuba divers protecting the ocean planet – one dive at a time. Ecology Action Centre promotes sustainable, ocean-based livelihoods, and marine conservation in Atlantic Canada. These groups have formed the Shark League (www.sharkleague.org) and also collaborate toward shark conservation goals with WWF and Defenders of Wildlife.

Mako sharks (Isurus oxyrinchus) are valued for meat, fins, and sport. This highly migratory species is fished by many countries across the Atlantic.

Countries landing North Atlantic makos include (in order of magnitude for 2011-2016 reported catches): Spain, Morocco, Portugal, US, Japan, and Canada.

Countries landing South Atlantic makos include (in order of magnitude for 2011-2016 reported catches): Spain, Namibia, South Africa, Portugal, Taiwan, Japan, and Brazil.

In recent years (2011-2016), EU fishing vessels have been responsible for nearly 65% of North Atlantic shortfin mako landings, and 47% of those taken from the South Atlantic. Morocco’s reported landings of North Atlantic shortfin makos more than doubled from 2011 to 2016.

Shortfin makos ranked first among 20 pelagic shark stocks for vulnerability to ICCAT fisheries based on Euclidean distance and third overall in an Ecological Risk Assessment for sharks conducted by ICCAT scientists in 2012.

ICCAT is responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. ICCAT has 52 Contracting Parties, including the European Union. ICCAT adopted protections for bigeye thresher sharks in 2009, oceanic whitetip sharks and hammerheads* in 2010, silky sharks* in 2011, and porbeagles* in 2015 (*= with exceptions).

High demand for fins drives many shark fisheries and provides incentive for finning. The current ICCAT finning ban is difficult to enforce because of a complicated fin-to-body weight ratio used to monitor compliance. Requiring that sharks be landed with fins attached (as is required in the EU, US, and elsewhere) is the most reliable way to prevent finning, and can also yield better catch data, which is critical for population assessment.

VILAMOURA, PORTUGAL// Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have taken a small yet unprecedented step toward establishing limits on Blue Shark catches from the North Atlantic, but failed to act on scientific advice to do the same for the South Atlantic. Countries also mounted an extraordinary effort to strengthen the international ban on shark “finning” that was eventually thwarted by Japan and China.

“Sharks are among the oceans’ most inherently vulnerable animals, and unenforceable half-measures are not enough to conserve them,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International. “While we welcome Atlantic nations’ growing interest in preventing shark finning, and their recognition that Blue Shark fishing cannot continue without limit, we are deeply disappointed that much scientific advice has gone unheeded, and that the region’s finning ban will remain weak despite the will of more than 30 countries.”

Blue Sharks are fished by many countries, most of which do not limit catch. They dominate the shark landings from ICCAT fisheries and the global shark fin trade. Atlantic Blue Shark landings tripled in the last decade. To prevent overfishing, ICCAT scientists have recommended capping Blue Shark catches, particularly in the South Atlantic. An EU proposal to limit Blue Shark landings from both the North and South Atlantic was watered down by Japan and others; Brazil blocked conservation action for the South Atlantic. The final agreement triggers ICCAT consideration, but not necessarily catch limits, if North Atlantic Blue Shark landings exceed recent levels (~39,000 metric tons).

More than 85% of reported North Atlantic Blue Shark landings have been taken by EU vessels in recent years.

“It is critical to recognize that ICCAT’s new Blue Shark measure applies only to the North Atlantic and depends on follow-up actions by individual nations in the short-term and by ICCAT in the long-term,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “Given that Spanish vessels take the lion’s share of the North Atlantic Blue Shark catch, it now falls squarely with the EU to immediately set Blue Shark catch limits, in line with commitments made today. Only with such EU action can this half-measure result in meaningful Blue Shark conservation.”

Eighty percent of ICCAT Parties attending the meeting supported a US-led, multi-national effort to strengthen the ICCAT finning ban by replacing a problematic fin-to-carcass ratio with a more enforceable prohibition on removing fins at sea. Norway, Liberia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Curaçao, and Libya co-sponsored this year’s “fins-attached” proposal, along with 23 other ICCAT Parties that proposed the measure last year. For the first time, Canada spoke in favor of the ban and Korea did not voice opposition. The EU, South Africa, Venezuela, Iceland, Russia, Senegal, and several other West African nations joined the chorus of support offered on the floor. In the end, however, Japan and China – with a little help from Morocco — blocked the proposal.

“We are dismayed that just a few countries have yet again stood in the way of an enforceable ICCAT finning ban proposed by 30 Parties from all sides of the Atlantic,”said Ania Budziak, Associate Director for Project AWARE. “We are heartened, however, by the compelling demonstration of support for fins-attached rules from developing and developed countries alike, and encourage continued momentum towards this best practice.”

The conservation groups will continue to press ICCAT and its members to limit shark fishing and prevent finning.

Media contacts: Sophie Hulme, email: sophie@communicationsinc.co.uk, tel: +447973712869

Notes to Editors: Shark Advocates International is a project of The Ocean Foundation dedicated to securing science-based policies for sharks and rays. The Shark Trust is a UK charity working to safeguard the future of sharks through positive change. Focused on sharks in peril and marine debris, Project AWARE is a growing movement of scuba divers protecting the ocean planet – one dive at a time. Ecology Action Centre promotes sustainable, ocean-based livelihoods, and marine conservation in Atlantic Canada. These groups collaborate toward shark conservation goals with Defenders of Wildlife, who delivered testimony for the coalition at the ICCAT meeting. Joint NGO position statement on these issues: http://www.iccat.int/com2016/TRI/PA4_815.pdf

Shark fins are used in a celebratory soup in Asia. High demand for fins drives many shark fisheries and provides incentive for finning (the wasteful practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). Blue Sharks are the dominant species in the global shark fin trade and are also used for their meat.

The current ICCAT finning ban is difficult to enforce because of a complicated fin-to-body weight ratio used to monitor compliance. Requiring that sharks be landed with fins attached (as is required in the EU, US, and elsewhere) is the most reliable way to prevent finning, and can also yield better catch data, which is critical for population assessment.

More than 60,000 metric tons of Blue Sharks were taken from the Atlantic in 2015. ICCAT scientists have recommended precautionary measures to prevent overfishing of sharks in cases where the population status is uncertain; more specifically, they have advised action to ensure that South Atlantic Blue Shark catches do not increase. ICCAT scientists are not due to revisit Blue Shark population status and related advice on catches until 2021.

Countries reporting significant catches of Atlantic Blue Shark include (in order of magnitude): Spain, Japan, Portugal, Chinese Taipei, Namibia, Brazil, Ghana, South Africa, Uruguay, and the Republic of Korea.

In recent years, EU fishing vessels have been responsible for more than 85% of Blue Shark landings reported from the North Atlantic and more than 75% of total Atlantic Blue Shark landings (2006-2015).

The new ICCAT Blue Shark measure states, among other things, “If the average total catch of the North Atlantic Blue Shark in any consecutive two years from 2017 onward exceeds the average level observed during the period 2011-2015 (i.e. 39,102 t), the Commission shall review the implementation and effectiveness of these measures.”
Full text: http://www.iccat.int/com2016/DocENG/PA4_816C_ENG.pdf

ICCAT is responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. ICCAT has 51 Contracting Parties, including the European Union. ICCAT adopted protections for Bigeye Thresher Sharks in 2009, Oceanic Whitetip Sharks and hammerheads* in 2010, Silky Sharks* in 2011, and Porbeagles* in 2015 (*= with exceptions).
Proposal for stronger finning ban: http://www.iccat.int/com2016/DocENG/PA4_803B_ENG.pdf

In 2017 No Limits? is having a Mako’ver! Launching this #SharkAwarenessDay the Shark Trust is continuing its quest to stop uncontrolled shark fishing in the Atlantic high-seas. But this year we’re shifting our focus to Shortfin Mako – an exceptionally vulnerable species caught with no limits.

Why a Mako’ver? Mako Sharks are caught in the same longline fisheries as Blue Shark. And while Blues are caught in staggering volumes, accounting for ~80% of the landings in certain Atlantic fisheries, their life-history characteristics (maturing relatively young, at 6yrs, and producing a higher number of pups, between 4-135) suggest that with appropriate science-based management Blue Shark could support a sustainable fishery. Indeed Blue Shark fisheries are increasingly important as a valued food source in a number of global regions where sources of protein are few.

Mako sharks are caught in far lower numbers than Blues – reported by Spanish longliners as accounting for ~10% of shark landings by their Atlantic longline fleet. Yet their conservative life-history – maturing late (18yrs) and producing few young (4-25 pups) –leaves them exceptionally vulnerable to over-exploitation. The retention of mako in these fisheries is driven by the high demand for their meat whose quality is considered to rival swordfish, a species also in decline.

It’s time to step up!

With new scientific advice on the table, this November brings a critical opportunity to protect mako from overfishing in the Atlantic.

We’re calling on the European Commission to win the first international fishing limits for
Shortfin Mako, based on new scientific advice.

It’s now make or break for these sharks. Time to step up, and you can help.

Sign, then share – the more signatures, the more pressure we can exert!

Let’s stop uncontrolled shark fishing now!

With Blue Shark accounting for the majority of reported shark landings globally, and as the dominant species within the shark fin trade, precautionary, science-based management is key to a sustainable future.

However, we can’t do this alone.  The Shark Trust will be collaborating on the ground with partners Project AWARE, Ecology Action Centre and Shark Advocates International – working to persuade the 51 Parties (50 countries and the EU) to adopt science-based catch limits, and follow-up on ICCAT’s acknowledgement that in 2015 there was majority support within the Parties for landing sharks with Fins Naturally Attached.

Your help is invaluable too – not only as a supporter of the No Limits? campaign – but also to make your support known. While we are restricted from reporting on daily discussion until the meeting closes we can work together to keep the profile high for our No Limits? species!

Please show your support on social media using hashtags #ICCAT2016 #NoLimitsNoFuture #finsattached #catchlimits and retweet/share Shark Trust posts.

Thank you

ICCAT FAQ

WHAT is ICCAT?

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas – an international organisation responsible for the conservation of tunas and ‘tuna-like species‘ in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas.

Who is ICCAT?

ICCAT represents 50 countries and the European Union – they are known as ‘Contracting Parties’.

What has ICCAT got to do with Sharks?

ICCAT is responsible for tuna and ‘tuna-like species’ – that includes nine species of shark.

Is ICCAT a big deal?

Yes! ICCAT is responsible for fisheries throughout the North and South Atlantic, as well as the Baltic, Mediterranean and Black Seas.  That’s more than 85.5 million square miles.

UK// On Good Friday, millions of Britons will witness the extraordinary sight of scores of sharks feeding off a floating whale carcass in UK waters. In ‘Britain’s Sharks’, the second part of a new prime-time ITV documentary, viewers will see Ben Fogle and Ellie Harrison come face to face with more than a hundred Blue Sharks that call British waters home for part of the year.

Yet despite the large numbers of Blue Sharks seen in the film, this is a species with an uncertain future, fished in extraordinary numbers without any catch limits or management. The Shark Trust, a UK-based charity that works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, warns that while they may appear abundant now, populations could soon become threatened if uncontrolled fishing continues.

The Trust’s No Limits? campaign demands an end to uncontrolled shark fishing and the charity is calling for European nations to take a leading role in adopting sustainable management practices.

As it stands, Blue Sharks and other No Limits? species – Shortfin Mako, Tope, smoothhounds and catsharks – account for over 97% of reported Atlantic shark landings, which amounts to hundreds of thousands of tonnes, representing many millions of sharks each year. The Shark Trust’s No Limits? campaign highlights the urgent need to introduce science-based catch limits, ensuring all shark fisheries are managed for sustainability, securing the future of species and ensuring that sights, such as those filmed by the ITV crew, can be witnessed for generations to come.

Paul Cox, Managing Director of the Shark Trust, says, “No limits on sharks makes no sense. It’s estimated that 10-20 million Blue Sharks are caught each year. Is this sustainable? Probably not, but without catch limits we can’t even begin to manage for a sustainable future for these beautiful and vital sharks.”

The top four European shark fishing nations are Spain, Portugal, France and the UK who, between them, account for 95% of the recorded landings in the EU. The Shark Trust sees the engagement of these nations as key to achieving its aims in Europe.

Director of Conservation, Ali Hood, says, “Our No Limits? campaign has been really well received in the UK, people can see the sense in managing fisheries for sharks. Europe can play a uniquely influential role in establishing a culture of sustainability for shark fisheries management, an essential step towards safeguarding the future of sharks.

“What we have to do next is to take No Limits? to Europe, gaining support from citizens in other nations as we have in the UK. Our Crowdfunder campaign, that we are launching off the back of the TV show, is aimed at enabling us to do that through a series of pop-up events in key capital cities.”

The Crowdfunder campaign offers ocean lovers a range of unique rewards in return for supporting the Shark Trust to raise funds for the European campaign. They aim to take the No Limits? campaign into the capitals of the four major shark fishing nations, engaging the public and securing political support for the EU to deliver effective shark management. In October, the Shark Trust will meet with politicians in Brussels where they will call on Europe to take a leading role in the reform of shark fishing, ensuring that limits are set for European fleets and to maintain a proactive position in high seas fisheries negotiations.

Sustainable fisheries management features strongly in a new 10-year global strategy that was launched by the Shark Trust as part of a global partnership in Costa Rica in February. The Strategy sets out a roadmap to secure a substantial improvement in the conservation status of sharks and rays by 2025. Identifying a ‘window of opportunity’ the partnership highlights the need to mix protection for the most vulnerable species with sustainable fisheries management and responsible trade and consumption of shark products as the most pragmatic and effective approach for conservation. The report including details of the partnership can be found at www.sharktrust.org/globalstrategy.

Viewers of of the show are urged to join the fight to safeguard shark species and help the Shark Trust with its No Limits? campaign. In addition to the Crowdfunder appeal, the No Limits? website contains more information on the topic and a petition: www.nolimitsnofuture.org.

➤ Download Press Release (Word Document)

-ENDS-

Notes to editors:

The Shark Trust was established in 1997 to provide a voice for sharks in the UK. It is now a well-respected advocate for shark management and protection and is part of a global collaborative movement in shark conservation; working to safeguard shark, skate and ray populations through science, education, influence and action. www.sharktrust.org @SharkTrustUK

The Shark Trust launched the No Limits? campaign in 2014 in response to the crisis posed by unlimited and escalating shark fishing pressure. It appeals to the public to support the adoption of science-based catch limits, before it’s too late and today’s commercially fished shark species follow other once abundant Atlantic stocks into collapse. The No Limits? campaign calls on national governments, the European Commission and Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (high seas regulators) to recognise that management is urgently required for all commercially exploited shark species and to introduce and enforce science-based catch limits without delay.
www.nolimitsnofuture.org.

For more information, please contact:
Paul Cox, The Shark Trust, +44 (0)1752 229087 / paul@sharktrust.org
Anna Murray / Sophie Douglas, Formedia PR, +44 (0)1752 764222 / sharktrust@formedia.co.uk

COSTA RICA// Signatories to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Sharks have unanimously agreed to add twenty-two species of sharks and rays to the MoU scope, and to accept the applications of six conservation groups as Cooperating Partners in fulfilling MoU objectives. Conservationists are, in turn, calling on countries to take concrete national and international actions to fulfill new commitments to the imperiled species.

The CMS 2010 Shark MoU is the first global instrument dedicated to the conservation of migratory sharks and rays. The addition of 22 species (listed on the CMS Appendices in 2011 and 2014) brings the total number of species under the MoU’s scope to 29: White Shark, Porbeagle, Spiny Dogfish, Basking Shark, both makos, all three threshers, two species of hammerheads, Whale Shark, all nine devil rays, both mantas, all five sawfishes, and the Silky Shark. The number of MoU Signatories rose to 40 (39 national governments and the EU) with this week’s addition of Portugal.

“We are encouraged by the growing number of countries that are engaging in CMS shark and ray conservation activities, and welcome the expansion of the Shark MoU scope,” said Sonja Fordham of Shark Advocates International. “At the same time, we are eager for countries to follow up with concrete actions in line with these commitments, particularly strict protections for highly threatened rays, and fishing limits to ensure the long-term health of migratory shark populations.”

Through the CMS Shark MoU and associated Conservation Plan, signatories have agreed to facilitate a better understanding of shark populations and fisheries, set science-based catch limits, prevent “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea), protect critical shark habitats, and cooperate toward shark conservation through international fisheries and wildlife bodies. Shark Advocates International, Shark Trust, and Project AWARE were among the conservation groups accepted as Cooperating Partners in fulfilling Sharks MoU objectives.

“Our organizations are honored by the opportunity to serve as Cooperating Partners and thereby collaborate toward migratory shark and ray conservation with countries at the forefront of this critical work,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “This status gives us a special opportunity to share expertise and provide support while ensuring implementation of the associated Conservation Plan.”

CMS Parties are obligated to strictly protect the manta and devil rays and the five sawfishes (through listing on CMS Appendix I), and to work internationally to conserve the sharks listed on Appendix II.

“We applaud Costa Rica for hosting this important and successful meeting, and for the country’s past initiatives to secure international trade controls on hammerheads and to strengthen shark finning bans on a global scale,” said Ania Budziak, Associate Director for Project AWARE. “We are hopeful that new commitments made this week will lead to strict national protections for devil rays and sawfishes, and the end of Costa Rican opposition to regional fishing limits for hammerhead and silky sharks.”

 ➤ Download Press Release (Word Document)

Notes to Editors:

The groups outlined specific requests for action in a document distributed at the meeting.

 ➤ Read the position statement

The CMS meeting coincided with the release of a new global strategy from a coalition of conservation groups including Shark Advocates International and Shark Trust. See: http://www.sharktrust.org/en/global_strategy

Shark Advocates International is a project of The Ocean Foundation working to safeguard sharks and rays through sound, science-based conservation policy.

The Shark Trust is a UK charity working to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action.

Project AWARE is a growing movement of scuba divers protecting the ocean planet – one dive at a time.

The Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is an intergovernmental treaty formed under the United Nations Environment Program. With 122 member governments, CMS works for the regional and global conservation of a variety of threatened migratory animals through negotiation and implementation of agreements and action plans. CMS activities and instruments are open to non-Parties. More about the CMS Shark MoU here: http://www.cms.int/sharks/

 ➤ Find out more about CMS

 ➤ CMS Shark MoU

ST JULIAN’S, MALTA// Fishing nations at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have once again failed to adopt scientific advice and best practices to safeguard several species of oceanic sharks. The number of co-sponsors in an ongoing effort to strengthen the ICCAT ban on “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea) more than doubled to an unprecedented 30 of 50 Parties, yet was quashed by Japan with support from Korea, and China. Japan also led the fight to kill EU proposals aimed at protecting common threshers and limiting catch of makos, while its attempt to raise proposed blue shark catch levels prevented consensus on that measure. The only shark measure agreed was a compromise between Canada and the EU aimed at conserving porbeagle sharks.

“We are deeply troubled that sound conservation proposals for exceptionally vulnerable sharks continue to be defeated at ICCAT, even as mandates, warnings, and public concerns grow stronger,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International, a project of The Ocean Foundation. “This inaction is particularly heartbreaking with respect to the proposal for a stronger shark finning ban, which was thwarted despite co-sponsorship from a majority of ICCAT Parties.”

Japan led the charge to defeat the seventh attempt to strengthen the ICCAT finning ban. A record high number of Parties proposed replacing the problematic fin-to-carcass weight ratio with a more enforceable prohibition on removing fins at sea. The “fins-attached” proposal gained 16 co-sponsors at this year’s meeting – including Russia, Venezuela, Tunisia, and Nigeria — for a total of 30 Parties. The US, EU, and Senegal all vowed to continue to promote the change. The US also secured a 2016 ICCAT review of finning ban implementation.

“We are appalled that Japan has summarily dismissed appeals for a stronger ICCAT finning ban made by a growing number of countries – developed and developing – from all across the Atlantic,”
said Ania Budziak, Associate Director for Project AWARE. “We are also particularly dismayed that Canada and Mexico chose not to co-sponsor the effort to mandate this best practice of banning at-sea shark fin removal.”

The EU and US jointly proposed the establishment of ICCAT catch limits for highly vulnerable shortfin mako sharks. The proposal was questioned by Namibia and Uruguay, and then blocked by Japan. ICCAT scientists have recommended measures to ensure shortfin mako fishing does not increase.

The EU and US also cooperated on a proposal to cap landings of heavily fished blue sharks, based on a recent population assessment. Japan’s request to increase proposed South Atlantic catch levels by 32% was accepted by the EU, but rejected as excessive by the US and Norway, resulting in no action being taken for the species.

“We are once again deeply disappointed that ICCAT did not reach consensus to cap landings of blue and mako sharks, species that lack basic limits even in the main fishing nation of Spain,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “We leave this meeting frustrated yet all the more determined to continue the campaign to end uncontrolled fishing of oceanic sharks – under ICCAT and within the EU.”

Japan also led the effort to defeat an EU proposal to prohibit take of common thresher sharks. After six years of Canada blocking EU attempts to prohibit take of porbeagle sharks, the two Parties compromised on a measure that encourages live release and could trigger action if landings increase.

➤ Download press release (Word Document)

➤ Find out more about ICCAT

➤ Read the ICCAT 2015 Position Statement

➤ Download ICCAT 2015 A5 flyer (pdf)

➤ Get involved with the No Limits? campaign

Media contacts:
(EU) Patricia Roy: +34 696 905 907; patricia@communicationsinc.co.uk
(US) Liz Morley: +1 843.693.5044; info@sharkadvocates.org

Notes to Editors:

Shark Advocates International is a project of The Ocean Foundation dedicated to securing science-based policies for sharks and rays. The Shark Trust is a UK charity working to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action. Focused on sharks in peril and marine debris, Project AWARE is a growing movement of scuba divers protecting the ocean planet – one dive at a time. Humane Society International is an animal protection organization working throughout in the world to protect all animals. Defenders of Wildlife is dedicated to the protection of all native animals and plants in their natural communities.

Shark fins are used in a celebratory soup in Asia. High demand for fins drives many shark fisheries and provides incentive for finning. Blue sharks are the dominant species in the global shark fin trade. Many shark species, particularly porbeagles and shortfin makos, are also sought for meat.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies porbeagle, shortfin makos, and common thresher sharks as Vulnerable globally; porbeagle sharks are categorized as Endangered in the Northwest Atlantic and Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic. Blue sharks are listed as globally Near Threatened.

Scientists have determined that shortfin mako and porbeagle sharks are exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing from ICCAT fisheries. These species were listed under CMS Appendix II in 2008, signaling international commitment to regional conservation. Porbeagles were listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species in 2013; exports therefore must be accompanied by permits based on findings that they are legally and sustainably sourced.

ICCAT is responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. ICCAT has 50 Contracting Parties, including the European Union. 
ICCAT adopted protections for bigeye thresher sharks in 2009, oceanic whitetip sharks and hammerheads* in 2010, and silky sharks* in 2011 (* with exceptions).

➤ Joint NGO position statement on these issues:

➤ Info-graphic covering these issues

➤ Latest proposal for stronger finning ban (30 co-sponsors)

GENOA, ITALY// Fishing nations at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to reach consensus on several shark conservation proposals, including a joint US-EU effort to establish catch limits for heavily fished shortfin makos, and an EU bid to protect threatened porbeagles. A multi-national effort to strengthen the ICCAT ban on shark finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea) was also defeated, despite a growing number of co-sponsoring countries. ICCAT’s inaction comes just a week after Parties to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) – 27 of which are also ICCAT Parties – demonstrated overwhelming support for shark conservation.

“We are deeply disappointed that – year after year – a small number of countries are ensuring the defeat of sound conservation proposals for exceptionally vulnerable sharks,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International, a project of the Ocean Foundation. “This lack of progress is particularly troubling in the wake of an historic CMS meeting that was dominated by a resounding call for action to safeguard sharks.”

Japan and China blocked the US, Belize, and Brazil in their sixth attempt to strengthen the ICCAT finning ban by replacing the problematic fin-to-carcass weight ratio limit with a more enforceable prohibition on removing fins at sea. This year’s bid for a “fins-attached” policy, however, gained additional co-sponsors this year – including South Africa and the Ivory Coast – for a total of 14
Parties, while losing support from Mexico. The EU joined the fins-attached effort in 2013.

“We are dismayed by the strong opposition to the fins-attached measure from Japan and China that continues to thwart the collaborative work of a growing number of Parties,” said Rosa Indenbaum, International Conservation Legal Fellow for Defenders of Wildlife.

The US and the EU collaborated to jointly propose initial catch limits for heavily fished, highly vulnerable Shortfin Mako Sharks, and were supported by Guinea, Senegal, and Mauritania. Proposed limits were opposed by Japan, Brazil, Uruguay, and Norway. ICCAT scientists have recommended measures to ensure Shortfin Mako fishing does not increase, yet makos are not subject to quotas under ICCAT or through the main Atlantic mako fishing nations of Spain and Portugal.

“We thank the EU for working to secure shark conservation measures at ICCAT, and yet remind officials that there is still much work to do for sharks in Europe,” said Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust. “We encourage the European Commission to boost its case for ICCAT action for sharks by establishing EU limits on oceanic sharks, especially makos, and by demonstrating for Asian delegations that the fins-attached method is feasible for large-scale, high-seas freezer fleets, using examples from Spain.”

Canada once again ensured defeat for an EU proposal to protect Porbeagle Sharks. Over the five years that the two Parties have been arguing about Canada’s landings, Porbeagle take by Japanese vessels operating in the Atlantic has been rising, putting Japan in the lead for landings of this species.

➤ Download press release (Word Document)

Media contacts: (US) Liz Morley: +1 843.693.5044; (Europe) Hannah Tarrant: +44 7855 386083.

Notes to Editors:
 Shark Advocates International is a Washington, DC based project of The Ocean Foundation dedicated to securing science-based policies for sharks and rays. Also based in Washington, Defenders of Wildlife works to protect animals and plants native to North America. The Shark Trust is a UK charity working to advance the worldwide conservation of sharks through science, education, influence and action.

Shark fins are used in a celebratory soup prized in Asia. High demand for fins drives many shark fisheries and provides incentive for finning. Many shark species, particularly Porbeagles and Shortfin Makos, are also sought for their meat.

Scientists have determined that shortfin mako and porbeagle sharks are exceptionally vulnerable to overfishing from ICCAT fisheries. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies Porbeagle and Shortfin Mako sharks as Vulnerable globally; Porbeagle Sharks are categorized as Endangered in the Northwest Atlantic and Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic.

Mako and Porbeagle Sharks were listed under CMS Appendix II in 2008, signaling international commitment to regional conservation efforts. CMS has 120 Parties and held its Conference of Parties November 4-9 in Quito, Ecuador.

Porbeagle Sharks were listed under Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in 2013, but Japan has taken a reservation on this listing.

ICCAT is responsible for the conservation of tunas and tuna-like species in the Atlantic Ocean and adjacent seas. ICCAT has 49 Contracting Parties, including the European Union. 
ICCAT adopted protections for Bigeye Thresher Sharks in 2009, Oceanic Whitetip and hammerhead sharks in 2010, and Silky Sharks in 2011.

Steve’s dive was the latest in a series of events designed to bring the No Limits? campaign to public attention and to secure support for the main campaign objective: to stop uncontrolled shark fishing now!

No Limits? was launched online on the 27th May 2014, the first objective being to secure UK government support for science-based catch limits for those species which account for over 97% of Atlantic shark landings: Blue Shark, Shortfin Mako, smoothhounds, Tope and catsharks.

Last week, at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium Ocean of Stars event, the UK Fisheries Minister George Eustice made his views clear: “I want to see appropriate catch limits established, based on scientific evidence… so that we can move forward towards a sustainable future for these fabulous creatures.”

Steve Backshall, voiced his commitment saying, “lose the sharks and our planet’s oceans would be infinitely poorer places – and that’s why I’m supporting the Shark Trust’s No Limits? campaign.”

➤ Find out why Steve supports No Limits?

➤ UK Fisheries Minister: his views uncontrolled shark fisheries

➤ PRESS RELEASE: Sharks: No Limits? No Future!