Sharks may have a reputation for causing harm more than being harmed, but a Tameside Euro-MP says that measures to protect them need more bite. Liberal Democrat Chris Davies is campaigning to curb the practice of shark
finning from killing off some of the ocean’s largest predators.

Finning involves slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the carcass at sea.  It is driven by high demand prices paid by Chinese buyers in order to make shark fin soup. Often the shark is still alive after being finned and either drowns, is eaten by other fish, or starves to death.

Chris says that shark numbers have in some case fallen by 90% over the past two decades and is seeking the support of his fellow  MEPs to end the practice in EU waters.

His “written declaration” is cosponsored by MEPs from France, Finland and Romania has been signed by 78 MEPs in the first few days.

Said Davies, “Not only is shark finning wasteful, it is cruel.

“Many species of shark are in real danger of extinction but they are being hunted for the sake of one body part that doesn’t even taste of very much.

“It is time we stopped letting one of the oceans most successful predators die in agony just so people can show off that they can afford shark fin soup.”

If more than 369 MEPs sign the Davies declaration by 20th December, the European Commission will have to look at a proposal to strengthen current laws and end legal loopholes that allow EU fishing fleets to fin sharks.