Update

13
Dec
2020

ICCAT 2020 Joint NGO Closing Statement – Plenary

The Shark Trust – with support from Ecology Action Centre, Project AWARE, Shark League, The Ocean Foundation, Defenders of Wildlife, Human Society International, and Sciaena – is exceptionally disappointed that Parties have once again delayed urgently needed measures to reverse declines in Endangered shortfin mako populations, despite prioritizing this issue as the only potential shark conservation action of the 2020 virtual negotiations. This latest failure represents blatant disregard for SCRS advice at the expense of one of the ocean’s most valuable and vulnerable shark species. We regret that we must amplify previous warnings about inaction exacerbating risk for stock collapses that are irreparable in our lifetimes.

Continue reading ICCAT 2020 Joint NGO Closing Statement – Plenary

8
Oct
2020

Eighteen NGOs call on U.S. government to change course and support international protection for Endangered mako sharks

The United States has been a major obstacle to securing urgently needed protections for Endangered shortfin mako sharks. Scientists associated with the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have documented serious overfishing and depletion of the North Atlantic population, in particular, and have been advising a regional ban on retention since 2017.

In 2019, 16 ICCAT Parties supported heeding this advice, but opposition from the U.S. (and EU) prevented consensus, leaving the declining population woefully underprotected for another year. In anticipation of upcoming virtual ICCAT 2020 negotiations, a diverse array of 18 NGOs have united to urge the U.S. government to change course and help turn the tide for this exceptional species. Read the joint letter here.

Continue reading Eighteen NGOs call on U.S. government to change course and support international protection for Endangered mako sharks

22
Sep
2020

Seafood retailers urge ICCAT action for mako sharks

Major seafood companies have joined an appeal to ICCAT delegations to protect shortfin mako sharks, heeding scientists’ warnings about depletion in the North Atlantic and imminent risk in the South.

The letter signed by over eighty supermarket chains, tuna buyers, and NGOs sets out urgent issues for the tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organisations in 2020, highlighting mako sharks as the priority for ICCAT. While acknowledging the impacts of COVID-19 on the decision-making process, signatories believe progress can and must be made on such pressing concerns.

Read more on the NGO Tuna Forum website.