ICCAT

26
Nov
2019

Le Canada et le Sénégal contrecarrés par les États-Unis et l’Union européenne dans la lutte pour protéger les requins-taupes bleus en danger d’extinction

L’interdiction de leur pêche dans l’Atlantique nord, pourtant soutenue par 16 pays, dont le Japon et la Chine, a été contrée dans les derniers moments de la réunion de la CICTA

Majorque, Espagne. Le 25 novembre 2019. Le leadership remarquable dont le Canada et le Sénégal ont fait preuve s’est avéré salvateur pour les organisations de défense de l’environnement qui ont été par ailleurs effarées de voir les États-Unis et l’Union européenne écraser tout espoir d’adopter des mesures vitales de protection des requins-taupes bleus lors de la réunion annuelle de la Commission internationale pour la conservation des thonidés de l’Atlantique (CICTA). Le Sénégal et le Canada ont réussi à trouver huit autres pays co-auteurs de la proposition et se sont battus pour un consensus sur l’interdiction de la rétention à bord des requins-taupes bleus de l’Atlantique nord, gravement surpêchés, comme le recommandent les scientifiques. Pourtant l’UE et les États-Unis ont refusé de renoncer à des exceptions leur permettant de débarquer des centaines de tonnes de cette espèce en danger d’extinction. Les scientifiques de la CICTA estiment que cette population pourrait mettre quarante ou cinquante ans à se reconstituer, quand bien même la pêche cesserait aujourd’hui. L’absence de consensus favorise le maintien du statu quo à des niveaux de pêche non durables.

Continue reading Le Canada et le Sénégal contrecarrés par les États-Unis et l’Union européenne dans la lutte pour protéger les requins-taupes bleus en danger d’extinction

23
Nov
2019

ICCAT intervention on mako sharks

Delivered on behalf of Shark League members groups and partner NGOs, including Defenders of Wildlife and Oceana

Our organizations remain deeply concerned about the dire status of shortfin mako sharks, particularly in the North Atlantic. Parties’ responses to scientific advice from ICCAT’s Standing Committee on Research and Statistics (SCRS) have been inadequate for more than a decade, leading to the serious and urgent situation we face today.

Continue reading ICCAT intervention on mako sharks

22
Nov
2019

Shark League opening statement at ICCAT

At this week’s hotly anticipated meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), Shark League partner groups (Shark Trust, Ecology Action Centre, and Shark Advocates International) are working closely with colleagues from Defenders of Wildlife to urge Parties to adopt science-based safeguards for pelagic sharks. Here is our opening statement.  

Get updates through Monday by following #SharkLeague and #ICCAT2019 on Twitter.

22
Nov
2019

Make Or Break Time for Makos: Bridging the Gap Between Community-Led Actions and Policy Change


Author: Ian Campbell, Project AWARE, Associate Director Policy and Campaigns.

This year  has certainly been a busy one for those of us in the world of shark conservation, especially when it comes to the two fastest shark species, shortfin and longfin makos. In March, the IUCN reclassified both species from Vulnerable to Endangered on the IUCN Red List, highlighting the urgent need for protection. For much of 2019, shark conservationists focused on securing international trade controls for makos through listing under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) at the Conference of Parties (CoP) in August. Multiple organisations, including our Shark League partners, helped highlight the precarious status of mako sharks and win CITES Appendix II listing for the species. Starting by the end of November, all mako exports must be accompanied by a special permit granted upon demonstration that the products were legally and sustainably sourced.. With this global safeguard secured, our attention turned towards protecting makos where they are most at risk: the North Atlantic. Fisheries taking makos from this ocean are managed by the International Convention for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT).

Continue reading Make Or Break Time for Makos: Bridging the Gap Between Community-Led Actions and Policy Change

19
Nov
2019

Urge una prohibición inmediata de ICCAT para salvar a las poblaciones amenazadas de marrajo

Colectivos de buceadores y científicos marinos piden a los gestores internacionales de la pesca que actúen para evitar el colapso de la población del Atlántico norte.

Palma de Mallorca, martes, 19 de noviembre – En un esfuerzo conjunto por poner de manifiesto la preocupación pública creciente que existe en relación con el declive de las poblaciones de marrajo dientuso, el grupo conservacionista local Save the Med y la organización mundial sin ánimo de lucro para la conservación marina Project AWARE® están trasladando a los gestores de la pesca las voces de más de 25.000 amantes del océano justo antes de que los gobiernos tengan que tomar decisiones vitales en la reunión de la Comisión Internacional para la Conservación del Atún Atlántico (ICCAT), que se celebrará del 18 al 25 de noviembre en Palma de Mallorca, España.

Continue reading Urge una prohibición inmediata de ICCAT para salvar a las poblaciones amenazadas de marrajo

19
Nov
2019

Immediate ICCAT Ban Needed to Save Endangered Mako Sharks

Scuba Divers and Marine Scientists Call on International Fisheries Managers to Act Now and Prevent North Atlantic Population Collapse

Palma de Mallorca, Tuesday, 19 November – In a shared effort to highlight growing public concern for declining shortfin mako shark populations, local conservation group, Save the Med, and global marine conservation non-profit, Project AWARE®, are bringing the voices of more than 25,000 concerned ocean enthusiasts from around the world to the attention of fisheries managers ahead of critical decisions taking place at the meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) – 18-25 November – in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Continue reading Immediate ICCAT Ban Needed to Save Endangered Mako Sharks

18
Nov
2019

It’s make or break for Atlantic makos at international tuna meeting this week. The fate of a remarkable shark is in the EU’s hands

Source: Shark Conservation Fund.

Author: Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International.

European Union (EU) fishing vessels are still landing endangered Atlantic mako sharks, essentially without limit. The international body capable of regulating high seas Atlantic mako catches  considers new restrictions this week. Recovery of this valuable, beleaguered species depends on the EU living up to its conservation commitments, immediately.

Continue reading It’s make or break for Atlantic makos at international tuna meeting this week. The fate of a remarkable shark is in the EU’s hands

18
Nov
2019

Canada Joins Senegal to Champion Mako Shark Protection at International Fisheries Meeting

US and EU counter with proposals that allow continued landings and risk collapse of Endangered population

Mallorca – Canada will join Senegal in a bid to protect the Endangered mako shark. The proposal comes just hours before an international fisheries meeting that could turn the tide for these Endangered sharks that are fished both in Canadian and international waters. At its November 18-25 meeting in Mallorca, the 53 countries of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will consider a proposal to prohibit retention of the seriously overfished shortfin mako shark, based on sobering new scientific advice.

Continue reading Canada Joins Senegal to Champion Mako Shark Protection at International Fisheries Meeting

8
Nov
2019

Shark League Urges ICCAT Parties to Act

The Shark League is calling on Atlantic fishing nations to take decisive action to safeguard sharks at the upcoming annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Specifically, we’re urging ICCAT Parties to propose and work for the immediate adoption of: 

  • A ban on retention and measures to promote survival of endangered makos;
  • Science-based catch limits for blue sharks; and
  • A stronger finning ban that ends the removal of shark fins at sea. 

See our letter for details and stay tuned to #SharkLeague for updates

30
Oct
2019

Mako Sharks listed under CITES in August need ICCAT action in November

Shortfin and longfin mako sharks were listed on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) in August 2019. CITES Parties will soon be required to demonstrate that mako exports are sourced from legal, sustainable fisheries.

At their annual meeting in November, member governments of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), all of which are CITES Parties, will consider fishing restrictions to protect shortfin makos in the North Atlantic. Earlier this year, ICCAT scientists underscored previous warnings that this population is continuing to decline from serious overfishing, and reiterated their advice for a full ban on retention.

The Shark League coalition has appealed to fisheries and environment authorities in all ICCAT Parties to work together to ensure this advice is immediately heeded, in line with government obligations under both ICCAT and CITES. The ICCAT Parties that co-proposed the CITES listing for makos, including the EU, have a responsibility to lead in these efforts. So far, however, only one Party – Senegal – has stepped up to propose a mako ban.

Read letter