What is it about?

STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE is a European Citizens Initiative (ECI) that is supported by more than 100 NGOs, countless partners and volunteers as well as 1,119,996 verified EU citizens who submitted their statement of support.

The current “Fins Naturally Attached” regulation states that fins may not be removed from the body of the shark before landing. This means that loose fins can still be traded and exported. To close this loophole, additional trade legislation is needed to ban the export, import and transit of loose shark fins!

Why does it matter?

Sharks are essential for the marine ecosystem and climate protection!

  • Sharks ensure the health of the ocean-based tourism, fisheries and food security.

  • The oxygen in every second breath we take is produced by the oceans. The extinction of sharks would have a tremendous impact on the marine ecosystem, which in turn would negatively affect the climate and CO2 pollution in the atmosphere.

  • Protecting resilient biodiversity and ecosystems and ensuring the sustainability of our blue economy and fisheries sector are high priorities of the EU Green Deal.

Hunting sharks for their fins can only end with a trade ban for loose fins!

  • More than 100.000.000 sharks are killed every year, mainly for their fins.

  • 167 shark species are threatened with extinction. The number of sharks in the high seas has declined by more than 70 % in the last 50 years.

  • The high market value of shark fins is the only reason to fish sharks at unsustainable rates and to continue the cruel practice of ‘finning’, whether it’s legal or not.

The EU is still part of the problem!

  • Currently, the Member States Spain, Portugal and France are among the Top 15 shark-fishing nations of the world and are often even subsidised by the EU.

  • Although the EU has conservation obligations under CITES and CMS, threatened/protected shark species are entering the market due to current inadequate legislation.

  • A legal market for shark fins creates a loophole for illegal fins, as origin and species are difficult to trace. Loose shark fins can only be identified with complex and expensive DNA tests

What happened so far?

February 2020 to January 2022: Voting period

With a difficult campaign alongside a global pandemic, the ECI collected over 1.1 million statements of support from European citizens.

October 2022: Verification

All EU Member States have verified their citizens’ statements

January 2023: Submission

The initiators of the ECI delivered 1,119,996 statements of support for a #FinBanNow to Brussels

February 2023: Meeting with the EU Commission

STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE representatives presented a proposal to the EU Commission to end the shark fin trade in Europe

March 2023: Hearing at the EU Parliament

A group of selected experts, including Dr Sylvia Earle, spoke on behalf of 1.1 million Europeans at the European Parliament

July 2023: Response from the Commission

The Commission recognises the importance of sharks and their conservation. It has announced that it will launch an impact assessment on the environmental, social and economic consequences of a shark fin ban in the EU

February - May 2024: Call for Evidence

209 expert submissions were submitted containing 70 scientific papers, reports and studies from 34 countries in support of stronger measures to protect sharks

March – June 2024: Public Consultation

Nearly 99% of citizens who answered the online questionnaire for the impact assessment judge existing EU measures not sufficient

July 2024: Consultation Event

A targeted consultation event was held in Vigo, Spain – the heart of the European shark fishing industry. The meeting brought together a diverse audience, including local fleet owners, lobbyists, organisations and traders, as well as NGO representatives, resulting in a robust but balanced and respectful discussion

What´s next?

Together with our partner organisations, we will be engaging with the newly elected MEPs and Commissioners to ensure that shark protection remains a top priority on the EU Commission’s agenda.

Only with a #FinBanNow the EU fulfils its conservation obligations, secures a sustainable economy as well as food security and becomes part of the growing community of states, which take these responsibilities seriously.

Blog posts
Resources