Press Release: ‘Shark finning’: the Council takes position with the European Parliament against this practice

The Permanent Representatives Committee endorsed today (21.12.2012) the Council position following the European Parliament's first reading of the Commission proposal regarding the landing of all sharks with their fins attached. The Committee accepted all the amendments voted by the European Parliament in first reading.
The controversial practice of 'shark finning' (whereby the fins are removed from sharks, with the remainder of the shark being discarded at sea) has been forbidden on EU fishing vessels since 2003. However, a derogation remains in force that allows special fishing permits to be issued for on-board processing, whereby shark fins can be removed from the carcasses (with the fins and the remainder of the shark being landed together or separately). The Commission proposal aims to eliminate this derogation so that sharks can only be landed with their fins attached.

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