The UK Govenrment has not listed 'critically endangered' sharks on the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981(WCA), leading to criticism from the Shark Trust.
It meantains that with population declines of up to 95%, British species such as the Porbeagle, Spurdog and Common Skate are no longer found in abundance off UK shores.
"The impact of decades of unmanaged fisheries has reduced these long-lived species to critically endangered levels.
"Despite fulfilling many criteria for listing under the WCA there has been a reticence to see these once commercially fished species listed under ‘wildlife’ protection. Schedule 5 of the WCA listing makes it illegal to harass or disturb listed species. And although European fisheries management now prohibits the targeting or landing of these species, the lack of WCA listing leaves them vulnerable to non-commercial activities such as retention by recreational anglers," said a statement from the Shark Trust.
“Yet again the Shark Trust is disappointed that an opportunity to protect some of our most iconic species has not been realised,” said Ali Hood, Shark Trust Director of Conservation.
“It has taken years of lobbying to secure a prohibition on the commercial fishing for these species and the Shark Trust will now be seeking assurance from the Minister that protection from recreational activities will be delivered through an alternative mechanism.”
“The Shark Trust was pleased however, to have the listing of the less contentious White Skate and the extension of range for the Angelshark confirmed.”
The recently published Defra Shark, Skate and Ray Conservation Plan pledges to manage shark stocks sustainably, delivering bespoke conservation measures if required. The Shark Trust will now be proposing alternative, ‘bespoke’ actions to secure a future for endangered species in UK waters.
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