Shark finning loopholes due to end after decision

Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) have voted to ban all shark finning and have closed loopholes that allowed some EU fishing vessels to continue the activity, to the delight of shark protection groups.

Shark finning, the practice of fishermen slicing off fins and throwing the live body overboard to drown, was prohibited by the EU back in 2003. However, a special permit could be issued which allowed fishermen to remove the fins from their carcass out at sea and bring back the remainders or land them in different ports.

Shark finning is driven by the fact that the animals' fins are highly valuable in comparison with shark carcasses. As severed fins could be easily stored, it made economic sense for fishing vessels to remove the fins at sea, rather than bringing the entire animal - which would quickly fill a vessel's cold storage areas - into port.

In March, fisheries ministers endorsed a proposal to force fishermen to bring sharks to port intact, but the measure needed the approval of the parliament.

The decision to back the European Commission's plans means the details will now be considered by EU ministers. The resolution was adopted with 566 votes in favour, 47 against and 16 abstentions.

"Parliament's vote represents a major milestone in the global effort to end the wasteful practice," said Sandrine Polti, EU shark policy adviser for the Pew Environmental Group and the Shark Alliance.

"[We have] been working towards this and other fundamental reforms in European shark policies for more than six years and are thrilled with today's vote and the progress we expect to stem from it."

Dr Joanna Swabe, EU director for Humane Society International (HSI), said she was delighted that MEPs had decided not to support the argument to retain the special permits.