Sharks, skates
and rays under threat of extinction should be given bespoke
protection to help them recover faster, according to a new
Government conservation plan launched today.
The plan outlines how Defra will continue to work nationally and
internationally to allow threatened stocks of sharks, skates and
rays to replenish and to ensure that healthier stocks are fished sustainably.
Richard Benyon, Natural Environment and Fisheries Minister, said:
“The plan we have published today shows how committed we are to
ensuring that fisheries for these species are managed sustainably,
and to work both at home and abroad to make it happen.
“The UK is leading the way internationally in trying to ensure a
future for these species. We worked hard to protect vulnerable
sharks, skates and rays at December’s European Fisheries Council
and at the recent meeting of the International Commission for the
Conservation of Atlantic Tuna, and we will continue to push
internationally for improvements wherever they’re needed.”
Ali Hood, Director of Conservation for the Shark Trust, said:
“The Shark Trust welcomes the Shark Conservation Plan as a major
milestone in the UK’s efforts to deliver meaningful shark
management and conservation.
“Prompt implementation of the plan should greatly assist in
delivering a sustainable future for UK sharks, however with shark
populations regularly straddling the waters of multiple countries,
the Trust encourages Defra to stand by its commitment to seek to
influence other Member States and Regional Fisheries Management
Organisations and make this plan truly effective.”
The plan outlines how Defra will work to:
make all catches of sharks, skates and rays sustainable and
prioritise action to protect and restore the species most at
risk;improve our knowledge of shark, skate and ray fisheries
through better data collection and scientific research and to use
this information to improve fishery management;encourage
international conservation bodies to adopt and promote effective
conservation measures for sharks, skates and rays; andincrease
understanding, education and awareness of shark, skate and ray
issues, working in partnership with the fishing industry and NGOs.
Note for Editors
A full copy of the conservation plan is available at: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/marine/documents/interim2/shark-conservation-plan.pdf
Contacts:
Defra Press Office
Phone: 020 7238 6600
NDS.DEFRA@coi.gsi.gov.uk