Shark & Ray Fishing in the Med

“Shameful” shark protection delay

Monday, 13 February 2012 12:02

THE marine conservation organisation, Oceana, has hit out at the EU for its failure to offer greater protection to sharks and rays in the Mediterranean. The announcement follows in the wake of the biennial meeting of the Barcelona Convention in Paris. The strict protection of ten species of sharks and rays, for which non-EU nations had already indicated their support, hinged on the vote of the EU. Despite already postponing the decision at two previous meetings, they requested a further delay, invoking a clause of the convention allowing them six more months to decide which species, if any, they are in favour of protecting. “As the largest shark-fishing power in the world, the EU should be leading the way for the conservation of sharks and rays that are threatened by overfishing. Instead, while countries such as Algeria, Libya, and Morocco came to the table prepared to protect these species, the EU arrived without an agreed position, delaying this critical decision yet again,” stated Xavier Pastor, Executive Director of Oceana Europe. “After months of delay while the European Commission attempted to resolve ‘internal’ issues, any further postponement of the decision is simply shameful. Meanwhile, threatened sharks and rays – including four species considered to be Critically Endangered – continue to be fished in the Mediterranean.” ........................................................................................................................................