Late last night, after two weeks of intense negotiations, delegates meeting at the United Nations finally agreed to language for a High Seas Treaty. This is a major milestone in a nearly two-decade effort to secure a treaty to govern and protect the High Seas, which make up 70% of the ocean and cover nearly half the planet. More than 160,000 supporters spoke up and urged leaders to act. This public support, along with the great work of partners like RISE UP, the High Seas Alliance, Greenpeace, and more, helped show decision-makers that people all over the world were watching and wanted action — and they delivered. There is still more work to do, as nations will now need to formally adopt the language and ratify the treaty at the country level. We will continue to keep you updated on campaign developments and the critical moments where we need your support.
Update: More than 1.1 million people have voiced their support for a shark fin trade ban in the EU as part of the Stop Finning — Stop the Trade movement. In response, policymakers launched an impact assessment with a public comment period that ended on June 4, 2024. Over 3,400 people around the world — including many of you — made their voices heard. As the Commission considers crucial regulatory changes to protect vulnerable shark species, stay tuned for updates on next steps.
Add your name to the official letter to end the shark fin trade. We are urging decision-makers in the European Commission, Council, Parliament and national governments of the EU, to stop this horrific trade.
For decades, the shark fin trade has been the leading cause of the overfishing of sharks. Many countries, including Canada, the UK, and the United States, have taken the necessary steps to end their participation in the trade — but the European Union still lags behind.
The European shark fin trade is the single largest supplier of shark fins to the Asian fin markets, contributing 45% of the total fins in the global trade. Shark populations have declined by 70% in the High Seas in the last 50 years and the shark fin trade is a key contributor.
“Stop Finning — Stop the Trade” is a movement that has been underway to ask the leaders to take action against the trade of shark fins. More than 1.1 million EU citizens have signed, reaching the threshold required for the European Commission to respond.
We can’t let up the pressure now. Join us in urging the European Commission and Parliament, and national government representatives, to finally end the EU’s enablement of the shark fin trade.
Today, a third of all shark and ray species are already threatened by extinction due to unregulated commercial fisheries. Despite conclusive scientific proof to the contrary, the industrial fishing lobby continues to spread misinformation, claiming that shark populations are stable and that their overexploitation of sharks is sustainable.
As a global community, we cannot stand by and watch as the ocean’s biodiversity is irreparably destroyed. Pacific Island Nations, the US, Canada and the UK have taken action and banned the trade of shark fins. We now call on Europe to act.
Add your name to the letter to demand a #FinBanNow.
Click here to view the official letter.
