The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas will consider proposals to ban the retention of shortfin makos and require that all sharks landed have their fins still attached to ease finning ban enforcement during its meeting this week in Mallorca.
“The U.S. has long been a global leader in shark conservation and never has its support for scientific advice and the precautionary approach been more critical,” said Sonja Fordham, president of Shark Advocates International, a project of The Ocean Foundation. “The U.S. approach to ICCAT’s shark debates could decide whether the body continues to fail these vulnerable species or takes a turn toward responsible measures that set positive international precedents.”
The shortfin mako is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. In August, the U.S. opposed a successful proposal to list makos on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix II. CITES Parties (including all ICCAT Parties) must soon demonstrate that mako exports are sourced from legal, sustainable fisheries.
The U.S. ranked third among 53 ICCAT Parties for 2018 landings of North Atlantic shortfin makos.
“Concerned citizens can help by encouraging continued U.S. leadership toward responsible, science-based shark fishing restrictions,” said Fordham. “For makos, nothing matters more right now than ICCAT’s decisions, and U.S. support for the recommended ban is crucial. It’s truly make or break time.”
