Shark Finning Ban Adopted in the Northwest Atlantic The latest in a series of international agreements to ban shark finning – the practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass – has been adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (
This proposal was introduced by the United States and the European Union, and supported by Canada, Japan, Korea and other member nations. The prohibition will primarily affect groundfish and shrimp trawl fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic. In addition, NAFO Parties asked the scientific council to assess the status of spiny dogfish and black dogfish stocks in the NAFO area. The agreement also calls for research on fishing gear modifications to reduce unwanted bycatch of sharks, and identification of areas that serve as nurseries for juvenile sharks.
Sharks are apex predators that serve a key function in marine ecosystems. However, their slow growth and limited reproductive capacity make them susceptible to overfishing, and their populations are slow to rebuild. Last year, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution urging nations to work together through regional fishery management organizations such as NAFO to manage sharks. Since that time, several international agreements have been adopted to prohibit shark finning in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and NOAA has been at the forefront of these efforts.
Among other key developments of the September 19-23 meeting, NAFO adopted a new scheme to promote compliance by non-Contracting Party vessels that includes the establishment of a list of illegal vessels. NAFO also adopted recommendations to develop interim measures for implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.
Shark Finning Ban Adopted in the Northwest Atlantic
The latest in a series of international agreements to ban shark finning – the practice of slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass – has been adopted by the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (
NAFO).This proposal was introduced by the United States and the European Union, and supported by Canada, Japan, Korea and other member nations. The prohibition will primarily affect groundfish and shrimp trawl fisheries in the Northwest Atlantic. In addition, NAFO Parties asked the scientific council to assess the status of spiny dogfish and black dogfish stocks in the NAFO area. The agreement also calls for research on fishing gear modifications to reduce unwanted bycatch of sharks, and identification of areas that serve as nurseries for juvenile sharks.
Sharks are apex predators that serve a key function in marine ecosystems. However, their slow growth and limited reproductive capacity make them susceptible to overfishing, and their populations are slow to rebuild. Last year, the U.N. General Assembly passed a resolution urging nations to work together through regional fishery management organizations such as NAFO to manage sharks. Since that time, several international agreements have been adopted to prohibit shark finning in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and NOAA has been at the forefront of these efforts.
Among other key developments of the September 19-23 meeting, NAFO adopted a new scheme to promote compliance by non-Contracting Party vessels that includes the establishment of a list of illegal vessels. NAFO also adopted recommendations to develop interim measures for implementation of an ecosystem approach to fisheries management.