27-9-2013 Presentation Overview International Plan of Action for Sharks Commission consultation document Building a solid Community Plan Impacts of EU shark fisheries of Action for Sharks Shark fisheries, trade & finning Vision for a Community Plan of Action Sonja Fordham Field by Field suggestions Shark Alliance & Ocean Conservancy Pelagic RAC meeting, February 12, 2008 Amsterdam, NL European Community Plan of FAO International Plan of Action Action for Sharks (CPOA) To ensure conservation, management & longterm sustainable use of sharks Overdue, but Commission now committed Calls on fishing nations & RFMOs to develop National & Regional Plans Expects completion by Dec. ’08 of Action for Sharks to: Stakeholder consultation document: Ensure catch is sustainable Released late 2007 Collect data; consult stakeholders Comments accepted through Feb. 15 Provide special attention to threatened/vulnerable stocks Minimize waste Nine fields of action covering data collection, Protect biodiversity, ecosystem function research, habitat, catches, effort, finning, Promote international, bilateral cooperation threatened species, etc. Shark Plans due to FAO in 2001 Potential to be one of the world’s most Number of NPOAs growing, no Regional Plans of Action meaningful Plans of Action Shark Fisheries & the EU Sharks & rays targeted in European waters, and around More than 130 species of sharks & rays in the world by EU vessels, with very few rules. European waters Sharks sought for: The EU has a lead role to play in shark fishing & meat conservation around the world: liver oil (used in cosmetic & pharmaceutical products) • Large direct and incidental catches fins for Asian delicacy, • Strong influence in global bodies and examples for “shark fin soup” developing fishing countries. Sharks & rays are also taken incidentally as “bycatch” in fisheries targeting other species (kept or discarded). 1
27-9-2013 Shark trade & the EU Sharks are Vulnerable The European Union is a significant player: Because most sharks: global catch Grow slowly consumption Mature late Produce few young trade of sharks & rays. Fishing pressure can easily deplete shark populations. In 2004, Europe responsible for: Such damage often requires decades, centuries to repair. ~30 % of the world’s imports and ~40 % of world exports of shark products. Most European targeted shark fisheries have declined along with shark populations. Shark Fin Trade from Europe Sharks in Trouble Europe’s participation in Hong Kong fin One-third of European shark populations assessed by market has increased dramatically the IUCN are considered Threatened with extinction. From insignificant levels to 1/3 of total imports Mediterranean- highest % in world, so far (42%) Fins (for soup) worth more than bodies At least two species Economic incentive to “fin” of European rays - “common” skate & “Finning” = taking fins, “common” sawfish – discarding body at sea thought locally extinct EU banned finning in 2003, but Loopholes in the regulation remain EU Finning Ban Finning bans: scientific advice Opportunities for Improvement EU Finning Regulation allows for landing fins & carcasses separately 2006, EU scientists reviewed EU fin situation at Bans removal of fins at sea, but allows for exceptions technical workshop, 2007 report under special fishing permits Concluded ratios complicated, unreliable Caps “fin to carcass” ratio at 5% of whole Fins should remain attached: weight when most Better enforcement advice dictates 2% Improved species-specific Finning can therefore continue under limits collection data EU fin to carcass ratio replicated in int’l finning bans, makes them Underscores previous tech. advice ineffective too 2
27-9-2013 Shark Alliance Vision for a Context: Wide ranging effects Community Plan of Action for Sharks Most sharks are important predators in marine We envision the CPOA as umbrella document to: ecosystems, Address EU & int’l waters key to ocean balance Not only review situation EU = major power at most int’l fisheries Also commit to concrete & wildlife organizations limits on fishing Therefore, EU shark Map out future initiatives regulations have wide ranging implications for Cover actions by fisheries & environment the health of world’s oceans administrations Other actions more immediate, should be built in Key Points for Field of Action #1 Commission consultation paper Facilitate improved species-specific catch information Sound objectives aimed essentially at ensuring: Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: A deeper understanding of sharks, their role in ecosystems & the take of sharks in fisheries; increase investment in collection and verification Sustainable directed shark fisheries and of species-specific shark fisheries data at properly regulated bycatch; and landings sites, but also at sea. A coherent approach between internal and promote Regional Plans of Action for sharks and external Community fishery policies for sharks. close attention to related commitments made through CITES. Key Points for Field of Action #2 Key Points for Field of Action #3 Facilitate collection of species-specific Assess threats to populations, biological and trade data identify & protect critical habitats Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: increase observer coverage and improve reporting of regularly assess status of shark populations, shark trade by species, and determine levels of fishing mortality on sharks, record all landings and trade of shark separately by study and protect key habitats where sharks congregate commodity and to the species level. & can be vulnerable to fishing In addition, Shark Alliance proposes: Shark Alliance also proposes: consideration of video monitoring, determination of sustainable levels of fishing and/or a broader scope of shark products to include teeth, precautionary catch limits in data-poor situations. hides, cartilage and whole specimens. 3
27-9-2013 Key Points for Field of Action #4 Field of Action #5 Research threats to shark populations Improve stakeholder consultation and awareness associated with biology & bycatch Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: improve understanding of shark life history traits & educate fishermen & public re: shark status & rules, ecological impacts of shark depletion, consult the RACs for best practices for bycatch reduction, investigate means of reducing shark bycatch and discard offer greater public access to shark fisheries info. mortality for unwanted and non-commercial species. In addition, Shark Alliance proposes that the Commission: In addition, Shark Alliance proposes: Publicize information regarding safe handling & release of Aiming to minimise , not just reduce, bycatch sharks (to minimise harm to fishermen & sharks). For protected, threatened & unmanaged species as well. Field of Action #6 Field of Action #7 Adjust fishing effort to ensure sustainability Adjust catches to ensure sustainability Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: limit shark catch in line with scientific advice, Shark Alliance supports Commission proposals to: improve gear selectivity and reduce/ minimize discards of sharks, establish time/area closures in areas where sharks aggregate, and make exceptions to discard ban for sharks with a chance to survive. Adjust fishing effort to available resources, in line with FAO agreements & EU fishing capacity reduction goals. Shark Alliance further proposes: options for size limits & gear restrictions (based on innovation), precautionary restrictions in the meantime, restrict fishing in key habitats of endangered sharks. responsible timelines for management & recovery, further exceptions to the discard ban for protected species & those considered by IUCN as Threatened . Field of Action #8 Field of Action #9 Minimize waste & discards of sharks by Provide special attention to improving finning bans threatened shark populations Shark Alliance supports Commission proposal to: Shark Alliance asserts the best way to strengthen finning bans is to: eliminate derogation that allows fins to be removed on board vessels. afford special, prioritized protection species considered by IUCN as Endangered or Critically Endangered Short of that, the following Commission proposals are improvements: Establish EU & RFMO bycatch reduction/minimization programs & time/area closures for these species require the landing of fins & carcasses at same time, same port, and reduce the fin to carcass ratio to 5% of dressed weight. Shark Alliance further proposes that: Shark Alliance opposes Commission proposals to: Protection from fishing (prohibitions on fishing, retention Allow exceptions for higher ratios. & landing) be included as possible tools, and International initiatives include protective action for threatened sharks through wildlife treaties. 4
Recommend
More recommend
