Shark finning ban can’t cut corners

New Zealand Shark Alliance welcomes the government‘s proposal to bring forward the ban on all shark finning by two years but calls for the policy to be based on international best practice.

“The sooner we can end shark finning the better but it needs to be a ban that actually works and stops this abhorrent practice. The devil will be in the detail and any policy needs to be based on international best practice, said New Zealand Shark Alliance spokesperson Milena Palka.

The government announced today that it would bring forward the ban on all sharks from 2016 to 2014.

“Any ban will only be effective if it is based on a fins naturally attached policy. This is the best way to ensure that sharks aren’t killed just for their fins as it requires sharks to be brought back to shore in one piece,” added Ms Palka, from WWF. “This is the most effective way to make sure fishers comply with the finning ban.”

Forest & Bird Marine Conservation Advocate Katrina Goddard said: “It is great that the government is moving on shark finning but any policy can’t cut corners. Let’s do this once and let’s do this right.”

The New Zealand Shark Alliance is a group of organisations and scientists working together to ban shark finning in New Zealand waters and to protect sharks. It includes Forest & Bird, WWF, Greenpeace, ECO, Sea Shepherd Conservation Society, Shark Fin-Free Auckland, Our Seas Our Future, White Shark Conservation Trust, New Zealand Underwater, The ITM Fishing Show, Kelly Tarlton's Sealife Aquarium and Earthrace Conservation.

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