Skip to main content

    Prohibition of finning of sharks caught in the CAMLR Convention Area

    Request Meeting Document
    Document Number:
    CCAMLR-XXXV/23
    Author(s):
    Delegations of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, the European Union, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay and the USA
    Submitted By:
    Mr Jonathan Kelsey (United States of America)
    Approved By:
    Mr Jonathan Kelsey (United States of America)
    Abstract

    Conservation Measure 32-18 on the conservation of sharks prohibits “directed fishing on shark species in the Convention Area…” and calls for the live release of incidentally-caught sharks where possible.  The measure is, however, silent on the practice of shark finning should incidental catches of sharks occur. The delegations of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, European Union, Namibia, South Africa, Uruguay, and United States propose to amend CCAMLR Conservation Measure 32-18 to prohibit shark finning and require that all fins of any shark that is incidentally caught and that cannot be released alive remain naturally attached through the point of first landing. This is consistent with United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) resolutions adopted by consensus every year since 2007.  The proposal has been slightly modified from the version discussed at last year’s meeting, to address comments from Members.