Continued leadership at Atlantic fisheries meeting could save Endangered makos and combat finning

Washington, DC. November 12, 2019. Conservationists are looking to the U.S. for leadership ahead of an international fisheries meeting that could turn the tide for Endangered mako sharks and help prevent finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). At its November 18-25 meeting in Mallorca, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will consider at least two shark conservation proposals: (1) to ban retention of seriously overfished shortfin makos, based on sobering new scientific advice, and (2) to require that all sharks that are allowed to be landed have their fins still attached, to ease finning ban enforcement. The U.S. has led efforts to strengthen the ICCAT finning ban for a decade. Despite recent cutbacks, the U.S. still ranked third among 53 ICCAT Parties in 2018 for North Atlantic shortfin mako landings (taken in recreational and commercial fisheries); the government’s position on a mako ban proposed by Senegal is not yet clear.

Continue reading International Shark Debates put U.S. Positions in Spotlight

Proposals to ban Endangered Atlantic makos and combat finning put African positions in spotlight

November, 2019. Conservationists are looking to Africa for leadership ahead of an international fisheries meeting that could turn the tide for Endangered mako sharks and help prevent finning (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). At its November 18-25 meeting in Mallorca, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will consider at least two shark conservation proposals: (1) to prohibit retention of seriously overfished shortfin makos, based on sobering new scientific advice, and (2) to require that all sharks landed have their fins still attached to ease finning ban enforcement. Senegal has proposed the first and is cosponsoring the second with 21 other ICCAT Parties.

Continue reading Senegal Set to Champion Shark Conservation at International Fisheries Meeting

Les positions des pays africains seront décisives pour les propositions visant à lutter contre le finning et à interdire la pêche des requins-taupes bleus de l’Atlantique en danger d’extinction

Novembre 2019. Les défenseurs de l’environnement espèrent voir l’Afrique montrer l’exemple à l’occasion d’une réunion internationale sur la pêche qui pourrait changer radicalement l’avenir des requins-taupes bleus en danger d’extinction et contribuer à éviter le finning (c’est-à-dire le prélèvement des ailerons d’un requin et le rejet de sa carcasse à la mer). Lors de cette réunion qui se tiendra du 18 au 25 novembre à Majorque, la Commission internationale pour la conservation des thonidés de l’Atlantique (CICTA) examinera au moins deux propositions relatives à la conservation des requins : la première interdirait la rétention à bord des requins-taupes bleus, victimes d’une forte surpêche comme le montrent de nouvelles recommandations scientifiques préoccupantes, tandis que la seconde imposerait que tous les requins débarqués aient les nageoires encore attachées au reste de la carcasse afin de contrôler plus facilement l’interdiction du finning. Le Sénégal a proposé la première et sera co-auteur de la seconde comme 21 autres Parties à la CICTA.

Continue reading Réunion internationale sur la pêche : le Sénégal défendra les requins

It’s make or break time for shortfin makos as Spain sets to host international fisheries meeting

London, November 2019. Conservationists are focused on the European Union ahead of an international gathering of fishing nations that could make or break the future of Endangered mako sharks. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) will consider sobering new scientific advice about the status of shortfin makos at its annual meeting, November 18-25 in Mallorca. To reverse decline of the seriously overfished North Atlantic population, scientists are advising that ICCAT completely ban fishermen from retaining catches. There are no EU or ICCAT fishing quotas for makos. The EU ranks first in the world for mako landings, primarily because of vessels from Spain.

Continue reading EU Holds the Cards for Endangered Atlantic Sharks

Llega la hora de la verdad para el marrajo dientuso mientras España ultima los preparativos para acoger la reunión internacional de pesca de ICCAT

Londres, noviembre 2019. Los conservacionistas centran su atención en la Unión Europea justo antes de una reunión internacional de naciones pesqueras que podría decidir el futuro de las especies amenazadas de marrajo. La Unión Internacional para la Conservación del Atún Atlántico (ICCAT) va a estudiar el preocupante dictamen científico sobre el estado del marrajo dientuso en su reunión anual, que se celebrará del 18 al 25 de noviembre en Palma de Mallorca. Para invertir el declive de la población del Atlántico norte, gravemente sobreexplotada, los científicos recomiendan que ICCAT prohíba totalmente a los pescadores la retención a bordo de las capturas de esta especie. Ni la UE ni ICCAT han introducido cuotas de pesca para el marrajo. La UE ocupa la primera posición mundial en términos de desembarques de marrajo, principalmente por parte de buques de España.

Continue reading La UE tiene en sus manos el futuro de los tiburones amenazados del Atlántico