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StopFinningEU e.V.

The purpose of the Association is the protection of animals, in particular the protection of marine ecosystems and sharks.

Lobbying Activity

Meeting with Francesca Arena (Cabinet of Commissioner Costas Kadis)

30 Oct 2025 · Progress on ECI Stop Finning -Stop the Trade

Meeting with Tilly Metz (Member of the European Parliament)

1 Oct 2024 · Animal Welfare

Response to Better protecting sharks through sustainable fishing and trade

16 May 2024

A legal market for shark fins creates a loophole for illegal fins as the origin and species are difficult to trace. Loose shark fins can only be identified through complex and expensive DNA testing, which is not applicable for customs. As a result, threatened/protected shark species are entering the market on a daily basis. The attached publication "Conservation, Fisheries, Trade and Management Status of CITES-Listed Sharks" highlights the precarious conservation status of key commercial shark and ray species worldwide. Excessive fishing is the most widespread threat, affecting nearly 90% of sharks. Also the conservation status of many CITES Appendix II-listed sharks is still deteriorating, including species that are major sources of shark fins in international trade. Sharks are particularly vulnerable to overexploitation due to their slow sexual maturity and low reproductive rate. This, combined with the demand for shark fins, has led to an alarming decline. The other study attached Two thirds of species in a global shark fin trade hub are threatened with extinction: Conservation potential of international trade regulations for coastal sharks examined the Hong Kong shark fin market from 2014 to 2018. The result is shocking: Two-thirds (70.9%) of shark species from this hub were threatened with extinction. The evidence is clear: Legal fins mask illegal fins. The EU has conservation obligations under CITES and CMS that cannot be met with current legislation. A trade ban on shark fins is therefore essential to close this loophole and protect shark species from extinction.
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