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United Nations to Scrutinize Neglected Action Plan for Shark Conservation
Added: Feb 01, 2011
In February 2011, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization’s Committee on Fisheries (UN FAO COFI) agreed to examine the extent that the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) had been implemented. The lack of implementation was the focus of a report that Pew issued with TRAFFIC in advance of COFI’s annual meeting.
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Northern Marianas Moves Against Shark Fins
Added: Jan 28, 2011
In January 2011, The Commonwealth of Northern Marianas Islands banned the possession, sale, trade, or distribution of shark fins, spurring discussion of similar legislation in Guam and further building momentum for shark conservation in the Pacific region
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U.S. Congress Passes Shark Conservation Act
Added: Dec 20, 2010
In December 2010, the U.S. Shark Conservation Act passed both the Senate and the House and was signed into law by President Obama in January 2011. This law bans shark finning in US waters, closes loopholes in the previous fishing law and allows the US to encourage shark conservation internationally.
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Better Research Promised for Pacific Ocean Shark Fisheries
Added: Dec 01, 2010
In December 2010, the Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Commission passed an improved research plan for better reporting of shark catches and monitoring of the data to track what species are being caught and whether their status is imperiled.
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Oceanic Whitetip and Hammerhead Sharks Protected in the Atlantic Ocean
Added: Nov 27, 2010
In November 2010, the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) adopted a ban on the retention of any oceanic whitetip sharks, a ban on the retention of any hammerhead sharks caught in ICCAT fisheries, and data collection requirements for shortfin mako sharks. These measures mark a good step forward for shark conservation in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Honduran and Palauan Presidents Challenge the World to Save Sharks
Added: Sep 22, 2010
In September 2010, Palauan President Toribiong and Honduran President Porfirio Lobo Sosa signed an official declaration challenging world leaders to prohibit shark fishing in their countries’ waters (Honduras declared a full moratorium on shark fishing in February 2010). The presidents signed the declaration while in New York City for the United Nations General Assembly.
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United Nations Commits to Stronger Shark Research and Better Shark Fin Bans
Added: May 01, 2010
In May 2010, the United Nations Fish Stocks Review Conference final recommendations included the need to collect species-specific data for shark species caught in both directed shark fisheries or as accidental catch in other fisheries, conducting biological assessments that drive conservation and management measures for these sharks, and strengthening enforcement of existing prohibitions on shark finning -- including requiring that sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached (the most effective way of preventing shark finning).
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Maldives Creates Indian Ocean Shark Sanctuary
Added: Mar 02, 2010
In March 2010, the Maldives announced a ban on shark fishing in its entire exclusive economic zone, providing protection to sharks in 923,000 square kilometers of the Indian Ocean.
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European Fisheries Protect Porbeagles, Spurdogs and Deep Sea Sharks
Added: Dec 16, 2009
In December, 2009, as a result of the Shark Alliance’s advocacy efforts to ensure proper implementation of the CPOA, the European fishery for porbeagle, considered Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, was closed and science based fishing limits were adopted for spurdog and deep-sea sharks. In 2009, Spain adopted national legislation banning fishing for 11 species of hammerhead and thresher sharks.
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Big Eye Thresher Sharks Protected in Atlantic Ocean
Added: Nov 15, 2009
In November 2009 at the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) annual meeting, member countries agreed to ban the retention and landing of big eye thresher sharks in the Atlantic Ocean.
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Palaun President Declares National Shark Sanctuary
Added: Sep 25, 2009
In September 2009 at the United Nations General Assembly, Palauan President Johnson Toribiong declared the waters surrounding Palau as a national shark sanctuary. The declaration banned commercial shark fishing in an area equivalent to the size of France. In addition, President Toribiong called for a global moratorium on shark finning.
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EU Commits to Action Plan for Shark Conservation
Added: Feb 05, 2009
In February 2009, the Pew-led Shark Alliance coalition and its member groups played an instrumental role in pushing through the European Commission’s Community Plan of Action for sharks (CPOA), which includes commitments to strengthen the EU finning regulation, implement science-based fishing limits and protect endangered shark and ray species.
