THE UK Government has published proposals to stop new fisheries targeting tope, a species of large coastal shark.
Defra is proposing pre-emptive measures after receiving reports last year that a commercial fishing operation to catch the sharks was being considered. The fishery never materialised, but the Department remains concerned that any future proposals for targeting tope would be unsustainable because of the shark's life-cycle.
The Department is now asking the public, industry, sea anglers, and conservationists whether they think it should implement precautionary protection measures.
Marine and Fisheries Minister Ben Bradshaw said: "There isn't a targeted fishery for tope in our waters at the moment, but it's important that we decide now how we can ensure tope remain a sustainable resource.
"Tope can live for more than 50 years but they don't mature until around the age of 12. Even then, they produce a relatively low number of pups compared with other marine species, typically 20 every two or three years.
"This life-cycle makes them very vulnerable to fishing pressure." Recreational sea anglers fishing from the shore will not be affected by the proposed measures.
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