Shark Alliance - Updates (Portugal, Espanha)

1. Update 104
March 2012
FOR SHARK ALLIANCE MEMBER GROUPS
PLEASE DO NOT UPLOAD THIS DOCUMENT TO YOUR WEBSITES
Contents
1. Two Things to Do Now
2. Shark Alliance News and Activities
3. News from Member Groups
4. Calendar
5. New Members
1 Two things to do
 Spread the word about debates in the European Parliament on the EU finning ban so
elected representatives know we are following their deliberations
 EU groups, help handover the results of European Shark Week to your minister
2 Shark Alliance News and Activities
2.1 EU Shark Finning Regulation Debated in European Parliament
Shark Alliance representatives were on hand last week as the European Parliament
Fisheries Committee considered and debated for the first time the European
Commission’s proposal to close major loopholes in the EU ban on shark finning. The
Commission has proposed ending special permits that allow fishermen to cut off shark
fins at sea and land them separately from the bodies, under a derogation to the overall
EU requirement for landing sharks with their fins still naturally attached. Portugal and
Spain are the only EU Member States still issuing these special permits, a fact that was
clearly reflected in the afternoon’s debate.
Maria do Céu Patrão Neves Member of European Parliament (MEP) from Portugal started
the discussion in her role as Committee Rapporteur. Despite insisting that she had an
open mind on the matter and was listening to all sides, all of Patrão Neves’ arguments
were based on those offered by the Portuguese and Spanish long-distance freezer
vessels, which make up the EU’s largest shark fishing fleet. With little supporting
documentation or specifics, she cited concerns about economic hardship, safety,
hygiene, and storage to argue against the proposed “fins naturally attached” policy, and
called instead for delay of the regulation and compromise measures. She questioned the
Commission on why they were moving forward with the proposal, apparently forgetting

2. For Shark Alliance member groups. Please do not upload this document to your website.
that she was among the 423 MEPs to sign in 2010 the Written Declaration urging the
Commission to propose a complete ban on removing shark fins on board vessels. Patrão
Neves was vigorously supported by MEP Carmen Fraga from Spain, who argued, also
without specific figures, against imposing this “costly measure” that would have “major
repercussions” in the future.
Other MEPs from the UK, Spain and Greece argued adeptly in favor of the Commission’s
proposal, casting great doubt on industry’s arguments based on examples from other
countries, while highlighting the great number of vessels with special permits, the
biological vulnerability of sharks, and the need for the EU to lead rather than lag behind
a growing number of countries effectively imposing fins-attached policies.
A representative from the European Commission reviewed the loopholes associated with
the current regulation, stressed that there were practical solutions to all concerns raised,
and refuted the assertion that their proposal, which has been years in the making, was
“hasty”. Patrão Neves, however, was “extremely disappointed” with his response,
asserted that MEPs were there to “defend the fishing industry of Europe”, and reiterated
her opposition to the proposal.
Earlier in the day, the European Parliament’s Environment Committee discussed the
same issue, beginning with a draft opinion report from MEP Andrea Zanoni from Italy
that strongly supported the Commission’s proposal. Zanoni’s report received enthusiastic
endorsements from all MEPs taking the floor.
The process to amend the EU finning ban will continue to heat up throughout the spring.
Stay tuned to the Shark Alliance website for updates on this critical process and ways
that you can help us achieve a strong and enforceable EU shark finning ban.
More information: Read the full report here and share on your websites and through
your email lists. Watch a video of the fisheries committee debate here (needs Internet
Explorer to access interpretation). Our press release welcoming Mr Zanoni’s report is
available in English and Italian.
2.2 Briefing paper on the EU Finning Regulation
Prepared to support MEPs and EU national officials in their debates, our latest briefing
document summarizes the background to moves to close the loopholes in the EU finning
ban and sets out the Shark Alliance’s support for the proposal for all sharks to be landed
with ‘fins naturally attached’. Available in English, Dutch, French, Italian, Polish,
Portuguese and Spanish.
2.3 Science on ratios and why they don’t work for enforcing finning bans
Two scientific articles to be published in the Journal of Fish Biology look at the variability
of fin-to-carcass ratios and the impact this has for enforcing finning bans:
‘Blue shark Prionace glauca fin-to-carcass-mass ratios in Spain and implications for
finning ban enforcement’ by Julia Santana-Garcon (who many of you will know from her
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3. For Shark Alliance member groups. Please do not upload this document to your website.
previous work with the Shark Alliance in Spain), Sonja Fordham (Shark Advocates
International and advisor to the Alliance in the EU) and Sarah Fowler (who many of you
will also know). The paper examines the processing of fins from blue sharks caught by
the Spanish longline fleet and landed in Vigo, Spain, and implications of these practices
for enforcing the EU ban on shark finning, which relies on a maximum fin-to-carcass-
mass ratio. “The significant differences in fin-to-carcass-mass ratios between fin sets or
cutting procedure demonstrates that the ratio limit is problematic and, conclusively, in
order to facilitate proper enforcement, fishermen should be required to land all sharks
with the fins still naturally attached to the bodies.”
‘A global review of species-specific shark-fin-to-body-mass ratios and relevant
legislation’ by L. Biery and D. Pauly reviews ratios for 50 species with existing shark
fishery legislation. "Results suggest that currently regulated ratios may not be
appropriate for all species and fin-cutting practices, and regulations based on generalized
ratios for all sharks may be inadequate. Alternative policies may be necessary for the
effective management of global shark fisheries."
2.4 Dr Shelley Clarke talks to the Alliance about her research on the fin trade
Shelley Clarke, a fisheries scientist based in Japan, received her doctorate in quantitative
fisheries science from Imperial College London in 2003 for her ground-breaking study of
the shark fin trade. She explains how many sharks are traded for their fins, how this
information was gathered, the role of EU fleets (particularly Spain), and trends in the
market. She concludes by explaining the impact of finning bans and the best methods for
enforcing them. Watch the short film here.
2.5 Key EU shark and ray protections maintained for 2012
At their December 2011 meeting, the EU Council of Fisheries Ministers accepted the
European Commission’s science-based proposals to maintain Total Allowable Catch (TAC)
limits for porbeagle and spurdog sharks at zero. The decision came despite pressure
from the fishing industry to once again allow landings from these Critically Endangered
populations.
The Shark Alliance also welcomed ministers’ agreement to continue existing prohibitions
on take of several other Threatened species, such as the common skate and undulate
ray. The Council lowered catch limits for other species of skates and rays in some areas,
but reductions were less precautionary than those proposed by the Commission. While
generally pleased with the outcomes from the December Council meeting, the Shark
Alliance regretted that their calls to extend protections for Threatened common skate,
undulate ray guitarfish, and white skate to the Mediterranean have yet to be heeded.
2.6 Spain protects more shark and ray species in the Mediterranean
In January this year, Spain announced the inclusion of nine shark and ray species in the
List of Wild Species under Special Protection. Inclusion in the list delivers on
commitments made by Spain as a party to the Protocol concerning Specially Protected
Areas and Biological Diversity in the Mediterranean.
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In February 2011, several shark and ray species were included for the first time in the
List which prohibits the capture, injury, trade, import and export of these species, and
requires periodic evaluations of their conservation status.
The Shark Alliance has campaigned for such protection in Spain and welcomed this
positive move for the protection of threatened shark and ray species in the Spanish
Mediterranean waters, while calling for action to ensure the fisheries sector is given the
necessary information to guarantee that none of the species included are caught or
landed, and for the Spanish Government to broaden the list of shark and ray species
protected.
More information, with the list of protected species, here in English and Spanish.
2.7 What does your country have to do with sharks?
All 27 EU member states, through their MEPs and ministers, have a role in establishing
sound conservation policies for sharks. Beyond the political connections, you may have
known that the smoked belly flaps of spurdog (known as 'Schillerlocken') are particularly
popular in German fish markets and beer gardens but did you know that the thornback
ray, a species found in the Black Sea, was featured on a Bulgarian stamp in the 1960s
(and is increasingly showing up in Bulgarian fishing reports today)? Or that Poland has
yielded some of the world's oldest fossils of early sharks from the Jurassic and
Cretaceous periods, including the earliest reported evidence of the ancestors of angel
sharks and porbeagles?
We are preparing on-line profiles of all EU countries with such fascinating facts as well as
an analysis of shark and ray catches, imports and exports, and their progress on shark
conservation. Profiles have been published for Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Germany,
Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the United Kingdom with others
to follow.
2.8 European Shark Week: Showing fisheries ministers the concern for better
shark conservation policies
Since we updated you on the results of ESW in the last Update, we have been busy
collecting and collating the petition signatures and photos you generated. We’re still
counting but have gathered over 175,000 thousand signatures with some from all 27 EU
member states and many other countries outside the EU with hundreds more photos and
videos and examples of media coverage.
We want to show all EU Fisheries Ministers the level of interest across Europe for better
shark conservation measures. We are preparing large “photo books”, with a sample of
pictures and the results of the petition to present to each national minister.
We can just send directly with a covering letter. But, it would be much better if you
arranged to deliver it personally. We can support you with a copy of the book, and a
template press release for your use.
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This could be a quick photo-call with the minister or high ranking official in his or her
office. Perhaps followed by a meeting where you can explain what’s needed for better
conservation in your country (we can help with talking points). Or perhaps an event in
an aquarium that will attract media attention. Or an underwater round-table discussion
with an official in a wetsuit (ok, the books aren’t waterproof but you can be as
imaginative, or practical as you want!)
If you are in France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and the UK, this is being
coordinated through your national country coordinator. For those of you in other
countries: Let Martin Clark know if you want to discuss coordinating something.
3 News from Member Groups
Thank you to Shark Savers, WildAid, Humane Society International, Project AWARE, Sea First
Foundation vzw, Sharkman’s World Organization, Hong Kong Shark Foundation, Pew Environment
Group, SandyHook SeaLife Foundation, Ondine Escape and DEEPWAVE for contributing to this
Shark Alliance Update.
NB: Activities of Shark Alliance member groups carried out in their own names don’t necessarily
reflect the positions of the Alliance as a whole.
3.1 Shark Savers and WildAid: New Report on Manta and Mobula Rays
Shark Savers and WildAid released a new report ‘Manta Ray of Hope: The Global Threat
to Manta and Mobula Rays’. The two Alliance member groups describe how the
report provides the most far-reaching research ever conducted into both the intensive
overfishing of mantas and mobulas as well as the trade in their gill rakers that are
driving mantas and mobulas to the point of population collapse. The destruction of ray
populations is the result of demand for their gill rakers, with an estimated market value
of $11 million annually. This value is a fraction of the value of manta and mobula ray
tourism, which is estimated at over $100 million per year, globally. The gill rakers are
being used by some practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine for an unproven
'health' tonic. Click here to read more or download the report.
3.2 Project AWARE: Shark Conservation Diver Specialty Course
PADI Scuba Diving Instructors can help give
sharks a fighting chance by teaching the NEW
AWARE Shark Conservation specialty course to
their student divers. The goals of the AWARE
Shark Conservation Diver course are to inform
students of the value of sharks to marine
ecosystems and economies, to educate them
about the causes of declining shark populations,
to build an understanding of what is missing in
current shark fisheries management, to dispel
misperceptions that may block them from taking
action, and to inspire them to help sharks by
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taking action. PADI Instructors are encouraged to use the AWARE Shark Conservation
Diver course to turn their students into informed and passionate shark defenders who
take action to protect sharks. The course is open to divers and non-divers.
The Instructor Guide is available in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Arabic
(and soon in Chinese).
3.3 Humane Society International: Fin-Free Lunar New Year Campaign
In late December 2011, more than a dozen Chinese NGOs
participated in a media event to urge the public to adopt a
‘2012 Fin-Free Lunar New Year Celebration’ and the
government to modify regulations to ban the sale of shark fins
at government-certified ‘green’ hotels. During the event, co-
sponsored by Humane Society International, the organizers
gave out ‘Shark Guardian’ awards to hotels/restaurants that
took shark fin soup off their menu and to public figures
who support the fin-free campaign. Tencent, one of the largest
news portals in China, is the media sponsor of the campaign.
HSI launched a No Shark Fin pledge drive last 23 January,
before the Lunar New Year celebration kicked off, to support
the efforts of its partners and advocates in Asia.
3.4 Sea First Foundation: Educational Shark Project 2012
Starting March 31, high school students in Belgium will be invited by the Sea First
Foundation (SFF) to join a shark competition, either individually or in teams. The
challenge will be to design and execute a team project that will inform their
neighborhood of the plight of sharks. Teachers are also encouraged to get involved in the
project, by giving lessons using the information package provided to them, by helping
their students prepare a team project or by inviting an SFF teacher to give free lessons
on sharks.
The grand prize for the winning team is a one-week marine study trip to Florida, the
highlight of which is a one-day academic shark study excursion with the RJ Dunlap
Marine Conservation Program of the University of Miami to tag sharks. Once back home,
the students will be able to track the sharks on the Internet for a year.
With this project, SFF aims to raise awareness and interest for the shark cause in
Belgium and hope to positively influence Belgian MEPs and the fisheries minister.
More information can be obtained from Katrien Vandevelde.
3.5 HK Shark Foundation: Petition, Wedding Competition, Shark-Fin Free
Companies & Documentary
The HK Shark Foundation (HKSF) is continuing its petition to request the Hong Kong
Government to stop consuming shark products at official functions. The strategy is to get
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a 'quick win' that will open the discussion about a full trade ban whilst also setting a
positive message to the Hong Kong public. Please help by signing and sharing the
petition (non-US users can select the non-US option but still need to enter a postcode,
so they can put 0000 if they don't have one).
Sharkfin-free wedding competition: HKSF has also developed an exclusive Hong Kong
edition of the Happy Hearts Love Sharks wedding contest that was originally created by
Shark Truth in Canada. Twelve couples already signed up, preventing over 3,500 bowls
of shark fin soup from being served at their weddings, and HKSF is trying to get 90 more
couples to join in! The winners will be selected by a public vote in May 2012. In the
meantime, if you are interested in running Happy Hearts Love Sharks in their city or
country, please contact wedding-contest@sharktruth.com. See contest promo here.
Sharkfin-free companies: HKSF was able to sign-up the Bank of China (Hong Kong)
Limited, a leading listed commercial banking group in Hong Kong, to WWF-Hong Kong's
'Say No To Shark Fin' corporate pledge, setting an example of positive environmental
action to other Hong Kong companies.
Documentary: The short film “The Tide is Turning” highlights how nations, cities and
people around the globe are saying No to shark fin. It should remind viewers of the early
80's and a similar movement that swept the globe- the call to ban the ivory trade.
3.6 Pew Environment Group: Sanctuary: The Last Stand for Sharks screening
On the evening of 30 January, the Pew
Environment Group and the Coral Reef Alliance
(CORAL) held a screening of Sanctuary: The Last
Stand for Sharks in San Francisco. The film
portrays the underwater world of sharks and
paints a global picture of the threats they face
worldwide. Globally, shark populations are
declining, but there is growing momentum to
protect sharks. Many locations are recognizing
that sharks are worth more alive than dead,
contributing both to the economy and the stability
of crucial marine ecosystems like coral reefs. Some countries have even established
shark sanctuaries throughout the entirety of their waters. Following the film, there was a
question and answer panel with Matt Rand (Director of Global Shark Conservation, Pew
Environment Group), Rick MacPherson (Conservation Programs Director, CORAL), Jason
Vasques (Assistant Director of Conservation Programs, CORAL), and Dr. Michael Webster
(Executive Director, CORAL).
3.7 SandyHook SeaLife: The Swordfish Hunters Film Project
Responding to recent polls that indicate Americans lack a deep understanding of, and
involvement in, issues affecting the ocean, SandyHook SeaLife (SHSL) Foundation will
begin a public awareness initiative through the power of film. ‘The Swordfish Hunters’
written by SHSL Foundation’s founder, a movie, in the planning stage, will take global
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audiences to sea, to experience the raw reality of what fishermen and mariners
encounter - the devastating changes wrought by humans on this ecosystem.
SHSL Foundation invites like-minded organisations to join them in this film project
and advance their own mission. SHSL Foundation welcomes partners who can help
provide funding, talent and expertise. For more information on ‘The Swordfish Hunters’
please visit SHSL Foundation’s website or contact Mary Hamilton, SHSL Foundation’s
Executive Director.
3.8 Ondine Escape: Upcoming Data Collection Projects in Mallorca
Ondine Escape has recently created its own conservation department and is planning to
set-up two new elasmobranch programs in Mallorca. The first is a small data collection
program for the common stingray, Dasyatis pastinica. This is a volunteer-based program
working with local divers. Ondine Escape will be working with Gabriel Morey, IUCN Shark
Specialist Group member, and a former department of fisheries biologist and a local
shark expert to monitor, over a 12-month period, two areas within the Bay of Palma with
the view to Gabriel writing a report on the migrations of this species. The second project,
also a data collection program, aims to increasing the data base of MEDLEM (The
Mediterranean Large Elasmobranchs Monitoring Program). Both programs are in the
early stages of planning. Watch this space for more details.
3.9 DEEPWAVE: Dr. Gross Speaks at the Sealife Aquarium Timmendorf
On the 22nd of January, Dr. Onno Gross from DEEPWAVE gave a speech about shark
threats and conservation at the Sealife Aquarium Timmendorf, Germany. It was a good
opportunity to get the audience interested in learning more about the big EU shark
fishing fleet and its intense activities in the international shark fin trade.
3.10 New Sharkman’s World Organization Website
The new Sharkman’s World Organization website is now up and running. The new url is
www.sharkmans-world.eu. Please update your links! If you wish Sharkman’s World
Organization to link to your website, please contact Alex 'Sharkman' Buttigieg.
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4 Calendar
NB: There is a more detailed calendar relating to the EU process for strengthening the
finning ban that we can share with all those who are interested.
March 15-20 CITES 26th Meeting of the Animals Committee, Geneva, Switzerland
March 14-21 Palau Shark Week
March 26-30 Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission (WCPFC) Session,
Guam
April, week of 22nd Project AWARE’s Big Shark Shout Out 2012
June 8 World Oceans Day
June 11-15 ICCAT Sharks Meeting (Ecological Risk Analysis), Portugal
June 20-22 Rio +20 (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development),
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
June 25-29 IATTC, La Jolla, California
July 9-13 30th Session of FAO Committee on Fisheries (COFI), Rome, Italy
July 12 CITES 62nd Meeting of the Standing Committee, Geneva, Switzerland
September Debris Month of Action
September 6-8 10th International Seafood Summit, Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong
September 6-15 IUCN World Conservation Congress, Jeju, Korea
November 12-19 ICCAT Special Meeting of the Commission, Agadir, Morocco
Please let us know of other upcoming events and key dates.
5 Shark Alliance Member Groups
The Shark Alliance now has 122 member groups. Welcome to our newest members:
1. Tiny Island Conservation (Maldives)
2. Danishark Elasmobranch Research (Italy)
The full list of member groups can be found on the website: Member Groups
For help regarding Shark Alliance administration,
please contact Ronna Mercado at rmercado@pewtrusts.org
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