U.S. Senate Passes Bill to End Shark Finning

Oceana Applauds Approval of Shark Conservation Act

WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oceana applauds the United States Senate today for passing the Shark Conservation Act, which will end shark finning in U.S. waters.

“In last minute action, the Senate passed precedent-setting shark conservation measures requiring sharks to be landed whole with their fins still naturally attached”

“In last minute action, the Senate passed precedent-setting shark conservation measures requiring sharks to be landed whole with their fins still naturally attached,” said Beth Lowell, federal policy director at Oceana. “This requirement will ensure that shark finning does not occur.”

Each year, commercial fishing kills more than 100 million sharks worldwide – including tens of millions for just their fins. The requirement to land sharks whole, as well as a new prohibition on the transfer of fins at sea, will help end shark finning by U.S. fishing vessels.

“We’ve finally realized that sharks are worth more alive than dead,” said Elizabeth Griffin Wilson, marine scientist and fisheries campaign manager at Oceana. “While shark fins and other shark products are valuable, the role sharks play in the marine ecosystem is priceless. The U.S. has helped set a high standard for other countries and international management organizations to follow.”

The Shark Conservation Act improves the existing law originally intended to prevent shark finning. It also allows the U.S. to take action against countries whose shark finning restrictions are not as strenuous, labelling the U.S. as a continued leader in shark conservation.

The Shark Conservation Act was originally introduced by Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) and passed the U.S. House of Representatives in both the 110^th and 111^th Congress (H.R.81). The Act was introduced in the U.S. Senate by Senator John Kerry (D-MA). It passed the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee in November 2009.

The bill will now return to the House for one final vote to accept the Senate version of the legislation before it can be signed into law.

Oceana campaigns to protect and restore the world’s oceans. Our teams of marine scientists, economists, lawyers, and advocates win specific and concrete policy changes to reduce pollution and to prevent the irreversible collapse of fish populations, marine mammals and other sea life. Global in scope and dedicated to conservation, Oceana has campaigners based in North America, Europe, and South and Central America. More than 500,000 members and e-activists in over 150 countries have already joined Oceana. For more information, please visit www.Oceana.org.