Highlights

© Fuensanta Candela Castillo
European Communities

All too often, sharks are seen as cruel predators prowling beaches for human victims. In reality, people are now a far greater menace to these vulnerable species than they ever were to us. This is why on 23 April EU fisheries ministers adopted conclusions on an action plan for the conservation and management of sharks.

Shark products (meat, fins, skin, cartilage etc.) are in high demand, notably in the Asian market. World catches grew from 600 000 to over 810 000 tons between 1984 and 2004. Those catches were not confined to tropical waters: EU vessels now take around 100 000 tons of sharks and related species each year. As a result, many species are plagued by overfishing, and some are even on the brink of extinction. This is alarming, as sharks, rays and skates (cartilaginous species) play a vital role in the delicate balance of marine ecosystems. It is important that the EU helps to protect them.

The EU has already taken action to protect sharks. In 2003 it adopted a ban on "finning" - that is catching sharks and cutting off their fins before throwing them back into the sea. Reinforcing control of the finning ban is central to the action plan. Due attention will also be paid to reducing by-catches and discards resulting from other fisheries. Moreover, the plan aims at broadening knowledge of shark fisheries, shark species and their ecological role.

Due to their biological characteristics, such as late sexual maturity and low fertility, sharks are particularly vulnerable to over-exploitation. Once depleted, their stocks take a long time to recover, even with proper protection. This is why the Europeans must act now.

More information:
Council press release (pdf)
Council webcast of press conference