As part of European Shark Week (10 - 18 October 2009) Shark Alliance and its members such as us are targeting the government of Spain with a petition, to end the practise of shark-finning.

For those that don't know, shark finning is the practise of "harvesting" sharks fins and discarding the (normally still alive) shark into the sea which then cannot swim and slowly starve to death.

Unfortunately, shark finning is still rife and has increased over the past decade due to the increasing demand for shark fins such as for Chinese Shark Fin Soup. Shark specialists estimate that over 38 million sharks are killed for their fins, annually. One pound of dried shark fin can retail for $300 or more.

Sharkalliance.org say, "Most European shark populations are declining from overfishing. One-third are threatened with extinction."

Hope lies with the new Shark Plan, adopted by the European Commission thanks in large part to support from many of you. The Plan sets the stage for vast improvements in EU shark policies, including the finning ban.

Spain is a major exporter of shark fins to Asia and issues more special fishing permits, allowing its fleet loopholes around the legislation design to protect some of the most endangered shark species

Public opinion in Spain is for shark conservation and the petition calls on Zapatero and the government of Spain to adhere to the regulations for the protection of endangered sharks.

It is vital that Spain changes its attitude now, before it takes over the presidency of the EU next year and starts influencing this issue for the worse.

European Shark Week 2009

This year’s European Shark Week will take place from 10-18 October. It’s a unique opportunity for people across Europe to demonstrate their support for shark conservation and effect change.

Thanks to aquariums, dive clubs and conservation organisations, European Shark Week 2008 saw more than 200 activities and the collection of more than 100,000 signatures on a Shark Plan petition for EU Fisheries Ministers. The Ministers have since issued a strong response that highlights the plight of sharks and calls for prompt strengthening of the EU finning ban.  Indeed, the Ministers’ words reflect the concerns of a growing number of EU citizens expressed through European Shark Week.

How can you help?

Check out the European Shark Week website and don't forget to:

To find out more about European Shark Week and available resources, materials and ideas, contact:

Ali Hood in the UK: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Donna Mattfield, European Shark Week Co-ordinator: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  

Talk about European Shark Week 2009 in the TheScubaSite Forum