At a time when the UK is considering greater protection for elasmobranch species, especially tope, Spain is moving to have the practice of shark finning made legal in the EU.

Shark finning is the practice where the valuable fins are cut from the fish, and the rest of the animal is dumped, often still alive, to slowly perish.

Shark are vital to the health of the overall marine ecosystem, but their numbers have dropped alarmingly throughout the world.

See Underwater Times Report  (Bottom of page)

FishUpdate.com

Relevant EU documents:

Draft Report  on the application of Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003 on the removal of fins of sharks on board vessels (2006/2054(INI))

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Amendments 1-7

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