Shark fin ban ends cruel slaughter

A ban on shark finning in UK waters is to be introduced by the government, ministers will announce this week. The practice, which involves slicing fins from sharks at sea and dumping their bodies overboard – often while still alive – has been heavily criticised by campaigners and blamed for pushing many shark species to the brink of extinction.

Shark finning was banned by the EU in 2003 but loopholes in the legislation have allowed fishing boats in UK waters to continue finning. It is estimated that hundreds of tonnes of shark fin have been landed since the European “ban” was introduced.

With Britain agreeing to the ban on shark finning, attention will focus on Spain and Portugal, who are now considered the main shark finning nations in Europe and the primary obstacles to an effective EU finning ban…. Read Full Article by Robin McKie