Europe's Most Endangered Sharks Slated For Protection

Here is a press release from our friends at the Shark Alliance.

Brussels: The Shark Alliance is applauding the European Commission's
proposals, released today, to end fishing in 2009 for six shark and ray
species classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) as Threatened with extinction in the Northeast Atlantic.

The Commission has proposed setting total allowable catch (TAC) for spiny
dogfish (or "spurdog") and porbeagle sharks at zero and prohibiting
fishermen from keeping angel sharks, common skates, undulate rays or white
skates.   The Commission has also proposed additional improvements to the
management of fisheries for skates and rays.  The European Council of
Ministers will make final decisions on EU 2009 fishing limits December
17-19.

"We are impressed with the Commission's strong stance and unprecedented
adherence to the scientific advice with respect to fishing limits for
several of Europe's most endangered sharks and rays," said Sonja Fordham,
Shark Alliance Policy Director.  "These proposals demonstrate the most solid
step to date toward a new, more responsible era in the management of
European shark fisheries."

The International Council for Exploration of the Seas (ICES), which provides
scientific advice to the Commission, has long warned of spiny dogfish
population collapse and recommended zero take of the species.  Spiny dogfish
are sold as fish and chips in the UK and as smoked belly flaps in Germany;
filets are eaten in other EU countries including Belgium, France, and Italy.
Female spiny dogfish remain pregnant for nearly two years, a record in the
animal kingdom.  Fisheries often target aggregations of pregnant females as
they grow larger and fetch higher prices than males.  The UK received the
greatest share of 2008 EU spiny dogfish quotas which totaled 2,585 tonnes
(t) and are meant to allow for incidental catches only.  Spiny dogfish are
categorized by IUCN as Critically Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic.

EU fishing for the large and highly migratory porbeagle shark was not
limited until 2008 and current quotas (581t total) are too high to rebuild
the population.  France and Spain are responsible for the bulk of EU
porbeagle catches, which are driven by European demand for meat and Asian
demand for shark fin soup.  The UK, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, Portugal and
Germany also have porbeagle quota shares.  ICES scientists have repeatedly
recommended that fishing for European porbeagles should not be allowed, but
just weeks ago strengthened that advice by calling for a prohibition on
porbeagle landings.  Porbeagle sharks are classified by IUCN as Critically
Endangered in the Northeast Atlantic.

Earlier this year, ICES warned of severe depletion and local extinction of
the bottom-dwelling angel shark and white skates and recommended that these
species receive the "highest possible protection".  ICES also called for an
end to fishing for undulate rays and common skates. Common skate, angel
sharks and white skates are listed by IUCN as Critically Endangered;
undulate rays are classified as Endangered.

"The future of Europe's most endangered sharks and rays now lies with the
European Council of Ministers," added Fordham.  "We urge each and every EU
Fisheries Minister to follow the Commission's responsible lead and support
proposals to eliminate catches of these beleaguered species and at last set
them on the path to recovery."

The European Commission has also proposed to reduce by 25% the existing
skate and ray quota and establish two new TAC limits for these species in
areas where their catch is currently unregulated.