The EU Fin Trade Ban

Under way since February 2020, this campaign is bringing the voices of EU citizens to the European Parliament.

Shark Allies is one of 104 partner organizations that make up the Stop Finning EU campaign.

BACKGROUND

One of the main drivers of the overfishing of sharks globally is the high market value of shark fins. It is also the main reason the cruel practice of ‘finning’ continues, whether it’s legal or not. A comparable example would be to allow legal vs illegal elephant ivory. The channels for legal products keep the door wide open for illegal activities.

THE European Union IS PART OF THE PROBLEM

Currently, the Member States Spain, Portugal, and France are among the Top 15 shark-fishing nations of the world and are often even subsidized by the EU. Although the EU has conservation obligations under CITES and CMS, threatened/protected shark species are entering the market due to current inadequate legislation.