Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council on a European Community Action Plan for the Conservation and Management of Sharks {SEC(2009) 103} {SEC(2009) 104} {SEC(2009) 106}
Date: 2009-02-05
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: conservation of fish stocks, environmental protection, fishery management, marine life, protected species, sea fish

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COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 5.2.2009 
COM(2009) 40 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

On a European Community Action Plan for the Conservation and  
Management of Sharks 

{SEC(2009) 103} 
{SEC(2009) 104} 
{SEC(2009) 106} 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN 
PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 

On a European Community Action Plan for the Conservation and  
Management of Sharks 

1. 

INTRODUCTION 

Sharks are commonly known as top predators of the oceans and seas. Yet, they are 
very  vulnerable  species,  whose  populations  face  significant  decline  and,  for  some 
species, even a real threat of extinction in the EU waters. 

From  a  biological  perspective,  sharks,  skates,  rays  and  chimaeras  –  known 
collectively  as  chondrichthyans  –  fall  into  two  main  groups:  Elasmobranchs  and 
Chimeras and include over 1000 species1. They can be found in all oceans and seas 
and in particular in the Northern Atlantic Ocean, where more than 50% of the catches 
made by EC vessels is concentrated. 

While  shark  fisheries  still  account  for  a  limited  share  of  world  fishing  production, 
they have experienced rapid growth since the mid-1980s. This trend has been driven 
by  an  increased  demand  for  shark  products  (fins  in  particular,  but  also  meat,  skin, 
cartilage,  etc),  especially  in  Asian  market  and  has  been  sustained  by  a  number  of 
factors,  including  improvements  in  fishing  technology,  processing  and  consumer 
marketing and declines in other fish stocks. All these elements contributed to make 
sharks  a  more  valuable  fisheries.  Between  1984  and  2004,  world  catches  of  sharks 
grew from 600,000 to over 810,000 metric tons. 

Sharks  populations  are  particularly  vulnerable  to  unregulated  and  intensive 
harvesting,  because  of 
low 
reproductive  potential  and  low  capacity  for  population  increase  in  fact  means  that 
stocks  have  a  limited  capacity  to  recover  from  periods  of  over-fishing  or  other 
negative  shocks.  A  stable  and  effective  framework  for  the  management  of  shark 
fisheries is therefore necessary to ensure their sustainable exploitation. 

their  specific  biological  characteristics.  Their 

Efforts  to  ensure  a  coordinated  management  of  sharks  fisheries  have  been  made  at 
international level.  

Within  the  framework  of  the  Code  of  Conduct  for  Responsible  Fisheries,  the  FAO 
adopted  in  1999  the  International  Plan  of  action  for  the  conservation  and 
management  of  sharks  (IPOA  SHARKS).  While  the  FAO  plan  of  action  is  not 
binding, it aims to provide all concerned States with a reference point and guidelines 
for  designing  their  own  plans  for  the  conservation,  management  and  long-term 
sustainable exploitation of sharks. 

1 

Unless  specified  otherwise,  the  references  to  "sharks"  in  this  document  should  be  understood  as 
covering all species of the class Chondrichthyes. 

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Despite the importance of sharks fisheries for EC fleets, to date sharks fisheries are 
not  subject  to  a  comprehensive  management  framework  at  Community  level.  A 
number  of  measures  aiming  directly  or  indirectly  at  the  conservation  and 
management  of  sharks  have  been  adopted  over  time.  However,  it  appears  that  the 
range of existing measures should be strengthened to ensure the rebuilding of many 
depleted  stocks  fished  by  the  Community  fleet  in  Community  and  outside 
Community waters. Furthermore, given its commitment to sustainable fisheries and 
its weight at international level, the Community should assume a leading role in the 
development of policies aiming at the rational exploitation of chondrichthyans. 

It  is  therefore  timely  and  appropriate  to  develop  and  implement  at  EC  level  a 
comprehensive, effective and integrated policy and regulatory framework for sharks 
fisheries.  

The  present  Communication  sets  out  an  Action  Plan  for  sharks.  It  provides  the 
background against which the Plan has been drafted, outlines the core principles on 
which  it  is  based  and  describes  its  main  elements.  An  overview  of  the  actions 
planned is provided in the annexed Table.  

The  Plan  builds  on  the  rich  input  provided  by  stakeholders  during  a  public  and 
institutional consultation completed in March 2008 and is backed up by the analysis 
provided in the impact assessment annexed. In line with the requirements of the FAO 
International  Plan  of  Action,  the  Communication  and  the  Action  Plan  are 
accompanied by a Shark Assessment Report, which is presented in annex as a Staff 
Working Document. 

2. 

CURRENT SITUATION 

2.1. 

EC shark fisheries 

2.1.1.  North Atlantic 

The North Atlantic encompasses a number of key shark fisheries, operating in waters 
under  EU  and  third  country  jurisdiction  (Norway,  Faeroes,  etc)  as  well  as  in 
international  waters  under  different  Regional  Fisheries  Management  Organisations 
(RFMOs).  These  include  the  shallow-water  shark  and  ray  fisheries  of  North-East 
Europe, the North-East Atlantic demersal and mid-water fisheries and the deepwater 
shark fisheries (the larger tropical pelagic fishery is considered separately in the next 
section). Around 56,000 t of elasmobranchs are caught by EU vessels in this region 
(NW,  NE  Atlantic,  including  the  Mediterranean),  mostly  consisting  of  demersal 
skates, rays and small sharks, with relatively low catches of large pelagic shark. 

One  of  the  main  problems  for  the  management  of  sharks  in  this  area  is  the  mixed 
nature of demersal fisheries, which makes it very difficult to target action to protect 
sharks  without  severe  consequences  for  the  other  species  caught.  Furthermore,  the 
considerable overcapacity of the fleets that catch small sharks, skates and rays as by-
catch in demersal fisheries is also an important driver of the management problems 
in this area. 

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2.1.2.  Central and Southern Atlantic 

Central  Atlantic  pelagic  shark  fisheries:  With  the  principal  target  species  being 
tunas  and  swordfish,  these  tuna  surface  fisheries  and  to  a  certain  extent  their  main 
bycatch  of  pelagic  sharks,  are  managed  by  the  International  Commission  for  the 
Conservation of the Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Whilst purse seines and pole and line 
gears rarely catch sharks, the surface longliners have a high catch rate at around 68 
percent, compared to the 30 percent of the stated target catch of swordfish and tunas. 
This  shark  catch  is  around  31,000  t  per  annum,  mostly  consisting  of  blue  shark 
(Prionace  glauca)  and  shortfin  mako  (Isurus  oxyrinchus),  with  blue  shark  alone 
representing 75% of all shark catches. 

In  addition  to  tuna  fisheries  in  this  part  of  the  Atlantic,  there  are  several  coastal 
fisheries  exploited  by  Community  vessels  in  the  waters  under  jurisdiction  of  third 
countries. Reported catches by Community vessels (presumably the catches retained 
onboard)  are  relatively  modest,  amounting  to  approximately  2,300  tonnes  per  year 
over the last five years. 

2.1.3. 

Indian Ocean 

The  two  main  groups  of  species  found  in  the  catches  are  swordfish  (45%;  approx. 
7,000 t per year) and sharks (40%; approx. 6,100 t per year). The shark component is 
dominated  by  blue  shark  (Prionace  glauca),  which  represents  up  to  88%  of  total 
shark  catches.  The  other  species  of  importance  is  the  shortfin  mako  (Isurus 
oxyrinchus), making up approximately 9% of total shark catches. 

2.1.4.  Pacific Ocean 

Two RFMOs manage tuna fisheries in the Pacific: the IATTC in the Eastern part, and 
the WCPFC in the Central and Western parts. While the Community is a contracting 
party to the later, it has only observer status in the IATTC. From 2001 to 2005, shark 
landings increased steadily from about 400 t to 6,100 t. This mirrors an increase in 
shark preservation on board due to the increasing economic potential of these species 
and their derivatives on international markets. It is also the result of the expansion of 
the fishery westwards from 2004. 

As  in  the  Atlantic  and  Indian  Oceans,  blue  shark  (Prionace  glauca)  and  shortfin 
mako  (Isurus  oxyrinchus)  are  the  most  prevalent  pelagic  sharks  in  the  catches  and 
landings of surface longliners operating in the Pacific ocean. 

2.2. 

The shark market in the EU 

Dogfish  (Squalus  acanthias)  and  spotted  dogfish  (Scyliorhinus  spp.)  are  species 
covered  by  the  common  market  organisation  in  fishery  and  aquaculture  products 
established  by  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  104/20002  and  are  eligible  for 
intervention measures. Between 2005 and 2007, dogfish withdrawal interventions in 
relation to EU25 production ranged between 0.76% and 1.46%. On the other hand, 

2 

Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  104/2000  of  17  December  1999  on  the  common  organisation  of  the 
markets in fishery and aquaculture products (OJ L 17, 21.01.2000). 

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spotted  dogfish  withdrawals  increased  from  4.04%  in  2005  to  6.54  %  of  EU25 
production in 2007. 

As regards external trade, EU25 imports  of dogfish and other sharks  (whole, fresh, 
chilled and frozen) stood at 19439 tons in 2005 to decrease to 18756 tons in 2007. 
On the other hand, EU25 exports of dogfish and other sharks (whole, fresh, chilled 
and frozen) rose from 696 tonnes in 2006 and 2704 tonnes in 2007. 

2.3. 

The legislative framework applicable to sharks in the EU 

Sharks are living aquatic resources and therefore the Community plan falls within the 
scope  of  the  Common  Fisheries  Policy  (CFP)  as  defined  by  Article  1  of  Council 
Regulation  (EC)  No  2371/2002  of  20  December  2002  on  the  conservation  and 
sustainable exploitation of fisheries resources under the CFP. 

There  is  already  EC  legislation  governing  output  management,  technical  measures, 
control,  fleet  policy  and  trade  policy,  which  could  be  effective  in  ensuring  the 
sustainable use of sharks. Other measures, although not shark-specific, may have an 
important  bearing  on  sharks,  especially  for  those  taken  as  a  by-catch.  These  are 
measures  taken  under  multi-annual  plans  in  accordance  with  Regulation  (EC)  No 
1967/2006. 

In  general  terms,  as  regards  fishing  opportunities  for  sharks,  two  types  of 
Regulations lay down the rules for directed shark fisheries and by-catches of sharks: 

a)  Two-yearly  Council  Regulations  fixing  fishing  opportunities  for  Community 
fishing  vessels  for  certain  deep-sea  fish  stocks  every  two  years,  covering  EU  and 
NEAFC (Northeast Atlantic Fisheries Commission) waters; 

b) Annual Council Regulations fixing fishing opportunities and associated conditions 
for certain fish stocks, applicable in Community waters and, for Community vessels, 
in waters where catch limitations are required, including those administrated by the 
NEAFC, NAFO and CCAMLR. 

Moreover, Regulation (EC) No 2347/2002 of 16 December 20023 establishes specific 
access  requirements  and  associated  conditions  applicable  to  fishing  for  deep-seas 
stocks, including a wide rage of deep-water sharks. 

Council Regulation (EC) No1185/20034 bans and prevents the practice of "finning", 
whereby  the  fins  are  removed  from  sharks  with  the  remainder  of  the  shark  being 
discarded at sea. It provides that the weight of the fins kept from the catch shall never 
exceed the theoretical weight of the fins that would correspond to the remaining parts 
of sharks retained on board, transhipped or landed. For the purpose of enforcing this 
obligation, the Regulation provides that in no case shall the theoretical weight of the 
fins exceed 5 % of the live weight of the shark catch. 

It  is  also  important  to  note  that  a  number  of  steps  have  been  undertaken  at 
international  level  and  by  the  European  Community  to  regulate  the  international 

3 
4 

OJ L351, 28.12.2002. 
OJ L167, 4.07.2003, p.1. 

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trade in sharks and shark products. This has been implemented under the auspices of 
the  Convention  on  International  Trade  in  Endangered  Species  of  Wild  Fauna  and 
Flora (CITES). 

A number of shark species namely the basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus), the great 
white  shark  (Carcharodon  carcharias)  and  the  whale  shark  (Rhincodon  typus),  are 
included  in  CITES  Appendix  II  meaning  that  trade  in  these  species  is  strictly 
regulated. 

Furthermore, the basking shark and the great white shark are listed in Appendices I and 
II  of  the  Convention  on  Migratory  Species  (CMS).  The  whale  shark  is  listed  on 
Appendix II of this Convention. 

3. 

THE ACTION PLAN 

3.1. 

The Community Action Plan: general purpose, scope and operational objectives 

The reference point for this Action Plan is the FAO IPOA SHARKS, which aims to 
ensure  the  conservation  and  management  of  sharks  and  their  long-term  sustainable 
use worldwide. 

The purpose of the Community Action Plan is to contribute to that general objective 
by  ensuring  the  rebuilding  of  many  depleted  stocks  fished  by  the  Community  fleet 
within and outside Community waters. The Action Plan outlines what is already in 
place  and  what  is  still  needed  to  do  to  ensure  a  comprehensive  and  coherent 
legislative policy and legislative framework for the conservation and management of 
sharks within and outside Community waters. 

The  scope  of  the  proposed  Plan  of  Action  covers  directed  commercial,  by-catch 
commercial,  directed  recreational,  and  by-catch  recreational  fishing  of  any 
chondrichthyans within Community waters. It also includes any fisheries covered by 
current and potential agreements and partnerships between the European Community 
and  third  countries,  as  well  as  fisheries  in  the  high  seas  and  fisheries  covered  by 
RFMOs  managing  or  issuing  non-binding  recommendations  outside  Community 
waters. 

The Action Plan pursues the following three specific objectives,: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

To  broaden  the  knowledge  both  on  shark  fisheries  and  on  shark  species  and 
their role in the ecosystem; 

To ensure that directed fisheries for shark are sustainable and that by-catches of 
shark resulting from other fisheries are properly regulated; 

To  encourage  a  coherent  approach  between  the  internal  and  external 
Community policy for sharks. 

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3.2. 

The Community Action Plan: guiding principles and main actions 

3.2.1.  A  gradual  strategy  to  address  sharks-related  issues  based  on  sound  scientific 

evidence 

As  a  general  principle,  cartilaginous  fish  should  be  managed  according  to  sound 
scientific  advice  as  is  the  case  for  any  other  fisheries.  However,  in  view  of  the 
specific biological and ecological characteristics of most of the relevant species, their 
management  calls  for  a  more  cautious  approach.  The  implementation  measures 
should  be  based  on  the  Precautionary  Approach  as  described  for  single-species 
fishery management in the Commission Communication COM(2000) 803 final5. 

It should be noted that the ICES working group on sharks (WGEF) will develop the 
assessments of stocks status of the main species through 2007-2009. As the results of 
these assessments should be the basis for any future action on specific stocks, it will 
not  be  feasible  to  implement  all  desirable  actions  regarding  the  conservation  of 
sharks simultaneously. 

Furthermore,  as  a  growing  amount  of  scientific  and  monitoring  data  is  coming  to 
light, it seems wise to advocate a gradual approach. In this respect it is worth noting 
that  by  its  Decision  of  6  November  2008  the  Commission  adopted  a  multi  annual 
Community  programme  pursuant  to  Council  Regulation  (EC)  No  199/2008 
establishing a Community framework for the collection, management and use of data 
in  the  fisheries  sector,  which  covers  sharks  issues  within  the  sampling  schemes  for 
data collection (Group 1 stocks). 

Regarding  the  ban  on  finning  practices,  an  important  possible  loophole  in  the 
implementation of the "finning" regulation by EC Member States is the risk that they 
accept too general justifications for the need to separate processing on board of shark 
fins  and  the  remaining  parts  of  sharks.  Therefore,  it  appears  appropriate  that  the 
elements  for  the  justification  provided  for  by  Article  4  (2)  of  EC  Regulation  No 
1185/2003 are strengthened and clarified. 

In this context, the Commission has also taken into account other relevant elements 
such  as  the  recommendations  of  international  experts  on  this  issue,  according  to 
which an effective and practical "finning" Regulation should make it compulsory to 
land  sharks  with  fins  attached,  as  well  as  the  responses  to  the  open  consultation 
launched by the Commission on the draft Community Plan of Action. 

3.2.2.  An emphasis on regional cooperation 

Several  species  of  sharks  are  wide-ranging  and  highly  migratory  inhabiting 
international  waters.  Therefore,  the  responsibility  for  managing  fisheries  exploiting 
such  stocks  will  be  primarily  in  the  hands  of  the  relevant  Regional  Fisheries 
Management  Organisations.  It  is  for  these  bodies  to  determine  the  appropriate 
measures for the waters under their responsibility. It is therefore important to support 
the work of RFMOs in this regard, strengthen the RFMOs already in place and work 
together for the prompt establishment of new RFMOs in areas not yet covered. 

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Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament: application of the 
precautionary principle and multi-annual arrangements for setting TACs. COM(2000) 803 final. 

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There  are  currently  few  binding  management  recommendations  for  sharks  adopted 
by RFMOs to which the Community is a contracting party. In cases where there are 
no  recommendations  or  no  management  plan  foreseen,  the  Community  should 
encourage  the  respective  scientific  committees  to  develop  proposals  for  improving 
the availability of data and to carry out preliminary assessments. 

A  key  component  of  the  Community  Plan  of  Action  is  to  strengthen  the  roles  of 
RFMOs  in  their  fisheries  management  policy,  helping  to  ensure  highly  qualified 
advice  from  their  respective  scientific  committees.  Insofar  as  there  are  no  clear 
recommendations  and  advice  on  shark  management  stemming  from  RFMOs,  the 
present Plan of Action would mainly focus on improving knowledge of both directed 
shark  fisheries  and  incidental  catches  of  sharks.  Accordingly,  the  Community  will 
continue working with and supporting the RFMOs in their efforts to make shark data 
widely available and to take appropriate management measures  

The  prohibition  of  shark  finning  practices  in  Regulation  1185/2003  applies  to  all 
types of fishing in Community waters and to all Community vessels fishing in non-
Community waters. In addition, over the last few years, finning practices have been 
prohibited  in  most  RFMOs  with  a  competence for shark conservation issues. Often 
these  prohibitions  have  been  agreed  on  the  basis  of  Community  proposals  and 
supported by other parties. 

The  relevant  rules  adopted  by  RFMOs  ban  shark  finning  and  provide  that  each 
Contracting Party bans their vessels from having shark fins on board that total more 
than  5%  of  the  "weight  of  sharks  on  board",  up  to  the  first  point  of  landing  (while 
Community legislation currently refers to 5% of the "live weight of the shark catch"). 

The Commission will continue to work towards ensuring that the measures adopted 
at  Community  level  regarding  finning  practices  are  implemented  in  all  relevant 
international conventions, including in particular the Regional Fisheries Management 
Organisations. 

Finally, the Community will seek improved international co-operation through CMS 
and CITES to control shark fishing and trading. 

3.2.3.  An integrated framework of actions  

The  Commission  is  of  the  view  that  proper  management  of  sharks  requires  an 
integrated set of different input/output and technical measures. Overall, the suggested 
content  of  the  Community  Action  Plan  is  structured  in  accordance  with  the  FAO 
shark-plan as provided for in Appendix A of the FAO IPOA for the conservation and 
management of sharks. 

The  Action  Plan  will  include  measures  intended  to  the  improvement  of  data 
collection  and  scientific  advice,  management  and  technical  measures  and  a  further 
strengthening  of  the  control  of  the  shark  finning  ban.  They  will  be  implemented  at 
Community  and  Member  States  level  and  the  Community  will  seek  their 
endorsement by all relevant RFMOs. 

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3.3. 

Conclusions 

The  proposed  Action  Plan  entails  a  wide  range  of  legal  and  policy  measures, 
including  the  modification  of  a  number  of  existing  regulations.  Some  of  these 
measures  can  be  implemented  at  Community  level,  some  others  need  action  at 
Member States level or must be endorsed by RFMOs. Furthermore, the Action plan 
foresees both actions that can be implemented without delay and others that need a 
longer term commitment and must be based on progressively available evidence and 
scientific  advice.  The  timing  of  the  implementation  of  the  Plan  of  Action  will 
therefore  depend  on  the  contributions  of  all  actors  involved.  The  Commission 
presents this Action Plan to the Council and the Parliament and encourages them to 
support to the actions proposed. 

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Action plan for sharks  

Specific objective 

To  deepen  knowledge  both  of  shark  fisheries  and  of  shark  species  and  their  role  in  the 
ecosystem. 

Objective 

Level 
action 

of 

Action 

Community 
level  

To  have  reliable 
and 
detailed 
species-specific 
quantitative  and 
biological  data 
on  catches  and 
landings  as  well 
as  trade  data  for 
high 
and 
medium  priority 
fisheries.  

investment 

in 
Increase 
shark  data  collection  at 
landing 
and  by 
sites 
processing  and  marketing 
industries. 

systems 

Establish 
to 
provide  verification  of 
catch 
by 
information 
species and by fishery. 

representative 
Mandate 
coverage  on  EC  fishing 
vessels 
on-board 
by 
observers  for  vessels  over 
24  m  and  with  recent  by-
catches  figures  of  more 
15% 
than 
the 
(depending 
particular 
of 
sharks in the total catch. 

to 
on 
fishery) 

10% 

For  all  distant-water  fleets 
not  covered  by  the  above 
measure  but  which  take 
a  by-catch, 
sharks 
least  10% 
mandate  at 
observer 
by 
2013. 

coverage 

as 

For  high-priority  shallow-
water  fisheries  in  the  NE 
Atlantic,  mandate  pilot-
scheme 
based  observer 
(e.g. 25 observers or so) by 
2013. 

Ensure  that  all  landings 
and  trading  of  shark  fins, 

EN 

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Responsible 
party 

Commission, 
Council  and 
Member 
States 

Timetable 

Gradual 
implementation 
in order to have 
concrete  results 
after three years 
of 
implementation.

Gradual 
implementation 
in order to have 
concrete  results 
by 2013. 

Gradual 
implementation 

   EN 

 
 
in order to have 
concrete  results 
after three years 
of 
implementation.

Gradual 
implementation 

Commission, 
Council, 
Member 
States 
RFMOs 

and 

Measures 
to 
be  promoted 
within 
Regional 
Fisheries 
Management 
Organisations: 

meat  and  oil  are  recorded 
separately  by  commodity 
and  where  possible  at 
species  level,  in  the  main 
fisheries  and  for  the  main 
species. 

Promote improved species-
specific catch and landings 
data  and  monitoring  of 
shark catches by fishery. 

in  cooperation 
Improve, 
with  FAO  and  relevant 
fisheries 
management 
bodies, the monitoring and 
reporting of catch, bycatch, 
discards,  market 
and 
international  trade  data,  at 
level  where 
the  species 
possible. 

that 

Request  through  the  FAO 
and  Regional  Fisheries 
Management 
where 
Organisations 
these 
appropriate 
organisations  develop  and 
implement  Regional  Shark 
associated 
and 
Plans 
in 
assist 
to 
measures 
species  identification  and 
monitoring, as called for in 
the IPOA–Sharks, by mid-
2009  in  order  to  report  to 
the  15th  Meeting  of  the 
CITES  Conference 
of 
Parties. 

Promote  the  identification 
and  reporting  of  species-
and 
specific  biological 
trade  data,  at  least  for  the 
main species. 

Encourage 
representative 
coverage on fishing vessels 
by  on-board  observers  for 
vessels  over  24  m  fishing 

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in  the  high  seas  and  with 
recent  by-catches  figures 
of  more  than  10%  to  15% 
the 
(depending 
of 
particular 
sharks of the total catch. 

on 
fishery) 

fleets 
not 
For 
other 
the  above 
covered  by 
measure  and  taking  sharks 
as a by-catch, encourage at 
least 
observer 
coverage by 2013. 

10% 

Monitor 
recreational 
catches  and  distinguish 
fishing 
the 
between 
by 
mortality 
exerted 
recreational 
and 
commercial fishing. 

Member 
States 

Member  State 
level: 

Community 
and  RFMOs 
level: 

Enhance  Community  and 
RFMOs 
research 
to  facilitate 
programmes 
data collection, monitoring 
and  stock  assessment  on  a 
species-specific level. 

Commission, 
Council, 
Member 
States 
RFMOs  

and 

Gradual 
implementation 
in order to have 
concrete  results 
after three years 
of 
implementation.

Member  State 
level: 

Develop national expertise 

Member 
States 

Gradual 
implementation 

on 

To  be  able  to 
efficiently 
and 
monitor 
shark 
assess 
stocks 
a 
species-specific 
level 
and 
develop 
harvesting 
in 
strategies 
accordance  with 
the  principles  of 
biological 
sustainability 
and 
long 
economic use.  

rational 
term 

To  improve  and 
develop 
frameworks  for 
establishing  and 
coordinating 
effective 
consultation 
involving 
stakeholders 
research, 
management 

in 

Community 
level 

stakeholder 
Facilitate 
and 
awareness-raising 
regarding 
consultation 
shark  management  and 
best  practices  to  reduce 
unwanted 
by-catches 
through Regional Advisory 
Council 
(RAC) 
programmes. 

Gradual 
implementation 

Commission, 
Member 
and 
States 
stakeholders 

EN 

12 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
and  educational 
initiatives. 

Member  State 
level 

Commission 
and  Member 
States 

Encourage  Member  States 
to  allow  public  access  to 
relevant  aggregated  data 
for  fleets  and  information 
on  shark  fisheries,  while 
protecting 
to 
the 
confidentiality. 

right 

Member 
States 

educational 
Launch 
programmes 
aimed 
specifically  at  educating 
fishermen  and  the  public 
about 
ray 
conservation  programmes 
and restrictions. 

shark 

and 

Specific objective 

To ensure that directed fisheries for shark are sustainable and that by-catches of shark resulting 
from other fisheries are properly regulated. 

Timetable 

Gradual 
implementation 
in order to have 
concrete  results 
after three years 
of 
implementation.

Gradual 
implementation 

Objective 

Level 
action 

of 

Action 

adjust 
To 
catches 
and 
fishing  effort  to 
the 
available 
resources  with 
particular 
attention to high 
priority fisheries 
and  vulnerable 
threatened 
or 
shark stocks.  

Community 
level: 

Limitation  or  prohibition 
of  fishing  activities  in 
areas  that  are  considered 
sensitive  for  endangered 
stocks. 

–  Stronger limitation of 
by 

fishing 
relevant fisheries. 

effort 

Responsible 
party 

Commission, 
Council  and 
Member 
States 

Community 
and  Regional 
Fisheries 
Management 
Organisations 
level: 

Establish  catch  limits  for 
stocks  in  conformity  with 
the  advice  provided  by 
ICES  and  by  the  relevant 
RFMOs. 

Commission, 
Council, 
Member 
States 
RFMOs 

and 

Prohibit  all  shark  discards 
in the medium to long term 
and require that all catches 
(including  by-catches)  are 
landed.  Unwanted 
by-
catches of sharks that have 
a  chance  to  survive  must 
be  released  back  into  the 
water. 

Increase 

selectivity 

in 

EN 

13 

   EN 

 
 
 
 
 
 
order  to  reduce  unwanted 
by-catch. 

Establishment  of  space-
time  boxes  in  areas  where 
juveniles  or  spawners  are 
abundant,  especially 
for 
vulnerable  or 
threatened 
species. 

Promotion  of  programmes 
to  adjust 
and  analysis 
at 
effort 
fishing 
international level. 

Establish 
by-catch 
reduction  programmes  for 
shark  species  considered 
Critically  Endangered  or 
relevant 
Endangered  by 
international organisations. 

Provide 
international 
cooperation  in  CMS  and 
CITES  with  a  view 
to 
controlling  shark  fishing 
and trading. 

the 
of 

possible 
Examine 
market 
impact 
on 
mechanisms 
conservation 
measures, 
including for shark species 
within  the  framework  of 
the  ongoing  evaluation  of 
the  Common  Market 
Organisation in fishery and 
aquaculture products. 

Confirm the ban of finning 
practices6  As  a  general 
rule,  it  will  be  prohibited 
to  remove  shark  fins  on 
board  and  to  tranship  or 
land 
fins.  Any 
exception  to  this  rule  will 
have  to  be  fully  justified 

shark 

Commission, 
Council  and 
Member 
States 

Immediate 
implementation, 
the 
following 
reception  of  the 
conclusions  of 
the Council and 
the EP. 

To 
minimize 
waste 
and 
discards 
from 
shark 
catches 
requiring 
the 
retention 
of 
from 
sharks 
which  fins  are 

Community 
and  Regional 
Fisheries 
Management 
Organisations 
level: 

6 

Practice whereby the fins are removed from sharks, with the reminder of the shark being discarded at 
sea. 

EN 

14 

   EN 

 
 
                                                 
and 

removed 
strengthening 
control 
measures. 

on  solid  and  objective 
grounds  and  documented 
prior  to  the  issuing  by  the 
Member  State  of 
the 
special  permit.  Member 
States  should  not 
issue 
special  permits  to  vessels 
that  do  not  meet 
this 
condition. 

beheaded) 

Consider a possible review 
of the 5% rule by requiring 
that  in  no  case  shall  the 
weight  of  the  fins  exceed 
5%  of  the  dressed  (gutted 
carcass 
and 
weight  of  the  shark  catch. 
However,  Member  States 
that  have  set  up  and 
data 
implemented 
collection programmes that 
show  that  this  percentage 
could  be 
in 
certain  cases,  could  do  so 
up 
percentage 
corresponding to 5% of the 
live  weight  of  the  shark 
catch. 

increased 

to 

a 

For  vessels  of  Member 
that  have  been 
States 
exempt from the obligation 
of landing sharks with fins 
attached,  to  introduce  the 
requirement  to  land  shark 
fins  and  carcasses  at  the 
same  time  in  the  same 
port. 

EN 

15 

   EN