Sharks 'Need To Stay Safe' In UK Waters

Campaigners fear Britain’s sharks will continue to be under threat unless tighter fishing catch limits are introduced in the EU.

The Shark Trust has launched its ‘No Limits’ campaign pushing for European fleets to adopt strict science based limits for certain species like the blue shark and smoothhound shark.

While fleets around the UK are setting a good example, the trust believes too many sharks are still ending up in nets from European boats meant for catch like tuna and swordfish, and not being returned to the sea.

More than 30 species of shark can be found off Britain’s coastline, but over 50% are under threat due to overfishing and damage to their natural habitats.

Basking sharks are a fully protected species and recently catch limits were introduced for spiny dogfish and porbeagle. But there are no limits for blue sharks, shortfin mako Shark, smoothhounds or catsharks.

Each year millions of highly-migratory blue and shortfin mako sharks are taken as ‘wanted bycatch’ in Atlantic high-seas tuna and billfish fisheries.

Between 2000 and 2004, blue sharks made up 61% of the landed catch in the Spanish longline fishery for Atlantic swordfish. Similarly, they can be 86% of the total catch in the Portuguese longline fishery for swordfish in the Azores.

In 2009, an EU community plan of action for sharks was introduced, but conservationists argue there has been little progress, leaving many species still vulnerable.

This year there has been some success. The ban on finning in EU waters has been tightened up – the practice involved shark fins being sliced off and the body thrown overboard.

The Shark Trust has also praised British fisheries for getting on board with their work, but say too many sharks continue to be caught up in fishing nets by European fleets and not returned to the sea.

Years of bad press and the legacy of the Jaws films may have hampered shark conservation, but experts insist more focused work is essential if these sometimes misunderstood creatures are to stay safe in our waters.

Most species of shark are completely harmless to people. According to the International Shark Attack File there have only been two unprovoked shark attacks in England since 1847, neither of which proved fatal.

 

Sharks 'Need To Stay Safe' In UK Waters