Scotland To Crack Down On Shark Finning

April 29, 2009

Release from: STV News

Scotland is set to be at the forefront of fisheries conservation following a call by the Scottish Government to the end the practice of shark finning.

Currently only foreign-owned and operated vessels participate in the practice in Scottish waters.

If the measures are approved these boats would need a special permit and have to follow tighter regulations.

The boats wishing to fin sharks would have to carry an observer on board to record the weight and species of shark finned and monitor any non-compliance with rules.

The observer will have to be available to report their findings to any Marine Scotland fishery officer on landing at the harbour.

Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said in a statement: "We know that some shark populations are critically endangered, and that is why we are proposing even tougher restrictions in Scotland, sending out a strong message.

"In Scotland we have been working to ensure sharks are given adequate protection.

"We are one of Europe's most important fishing nations and we have a huge interest in maintaining the sustainability of our seas, their stocks and the wider marine ecosystem."

Louize Hill, marine policy officer at the animal conservation organisation the World Wildlife Fund Scotland, said: "We welcome the proposals to discourage boats from seeking licenses to fin sharks.

"As well as being an incredibly wasteful practice, with over 90% in weight of the shark discarded, many shark species are threatened with extinction. Only effective control and enforcement, such as the measures proposed here, will protect these vulnerable species. Once again Scotland looks set to be at the forefront of fisheries conservation."

Sharks are more vulnerable to overfishing because they mature slowly and only give birth to a few young at a time.