New Zealand Greens call for ban on shark finning

The Greens are calling on the Government to ban the practice of shark finning.
tv3.com 6 Jun 08;

Shark finning is the removal of shark fins from their bodies so they can be exported to mainly Asian restaurants which use them for shark fin soup.

Greens conservation spokeswoman Metiria Turei today said a ban on the "barbaric" practice would bring New Zealand into line with Australia, the United States, Canada and the European Union.

"Sharks are slow growing and produce few young. They are under huge pressure from over fishing and have virtually no protection."

Ms Turei, who also released photos of mutilated shark carcasses, said the bodies of the finned sharks were usually tossed overboard or sold to be used for fish and chips.

Ms Turei said only 11 species came under the quota management system.

Fisheries Minister Jim Anderton was currently considering a recommendation to allow finning to continue, she said.

"The Government must recognise the vital role sharks play in the marine ecosystem and set catch limits for sharks and rays and put an end to finning."

Last November the Department of Conservation condemned live shark finning after around 30 sand sharks - some still alive - were found dumped in waters off Nelson.

It is legal to catch sharks for their fins in New Zealand though under the Animal Welfare Act they must be dead when thrown overboard.

Ms Turei's call follows the release of a study last month by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, which called for tighter regulation of shark fisheries which were being put under pressure by the lucrative trade in fins.

It said a rise in disposable income in China was leading to a surge in demand for fins.