A new bipartisan bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives and supported by conservation groups, zoos, aquariums and industry advances global shark conservation by ensuring that all shark products imported into the United States meet the same high ethical and sustainability standards required of American fishermen.
The Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act of 2018, H.R. 5248, sponsored by Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), Rep. Ted Lieu (D-CA), Rep. Bill Posey (R-FL), Rep. Walter Jones (R-NC), Rep. Wm. Lacy Clay (D-MO), Rep. Darren Soto (D-FL), and Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), would create a formal and transparent certification program for countries seeking to import shark products into the United States.
Foreign nations would be required to receive certification from the U.S. Secretary of Commerce confirming that they have an effective prohibition on the practice of shark finning and have shark management policies comparable to those under the Magnuson-Stevens Act.
The legislation aims to level the playing field for U.S. producers and use access to the U.S. market as leverage to encourage other countries to adopt and implement strong conservation and management measures that support sustainable fisheries and trade in shark and ray products.
“Fishing is a long-standing profession and treasured American pastime,” said Rep. Webster. “Our responsibility is to balance the needs of the industry with conservation. This bill recognizes the sacrifices American fishermen have made to rebuild and sustain our shark populations. It encourages other nations wishing to export shark products to the United States to adhere to the same high standards for conservation and management.”
Rep. Ted Lieu said, “U.S. shark fisheries are governed by some of the strongest science-based conservation regulations in the world. Accordingly, we should be leading the charge to counsel other nations in proper shark management. Preventing exploitation in global fisheries helps safeguard our ocean’s delicate ecosystem and can help promote the humane treatment of shark populations. I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Webster because the U.S. should be leading the charge in environmental conservation efforts. We have a responsibility to disincentivize the trade of unsustainably or illegally harvested shark fins and other shark products.”
Bob Jones, executive director of the Southeastern Fisheries Association in Tallahassee, Florida, thanked the Congressmen for introducing the new act, saying that it represents a better way forward for shark conservation.
“This legislation goes a long way toward protecting U.S. fishing jobs and combatting the threats facing global shark stocks by promoting the successful model of American shark management,” he said.
The bill also has support of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), with Luke Warwick, associate director of WCS’s sharks and rays program, stressing that effective fisheries management can reverse the global declines see in shark and ray populations, but that outside of a limited number of countries including the United States, such management is lacking.
“This law would incentivize countries to better manage their shark and ray fisheries, which when coupled with our work globally to support those governments understand their shark fisheries, and develop strong conservation and management measures, can help safe these inherently vulnerable animals,” said Warwick.
WCS highlighted that according to official statistics, which are widely believed to under-report actual levels, the global trade in shark and ray parts and products is approaching USD 1 billion (EUR 811.2 million) in value. In 2011, total global trade in shark and ray parts and products was valued at USD 438.6 million (EUR 355.8 million) in fins and USD 379.8 million (EUR 308.1 million) in meat.
These figures do not include domestic use of shark and ray products, which drives much of the global consumption for the 800,000 metric tons (MT) of sharks and rays that are reported to be landed annually by global fisheries.
Major shark fishing countries beyond the U.S. include Indonesia, India, Spain, Taiwan ROC, Mexico, and Pakistan. The Statesalso imports shark, skate and ray parts and products from a variety of countries, including New Zealand, Canada, China including Hong Kong, and Mexico.
