At last! acknowledging a little about the size of the problem

[Dr Stevil]

Courtesy of the Shark Trust:

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Shark Finning Ban Proposed:

I am very happy to report that the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) concluded today with the consensus adoption of binding measures for sharks taken in ICCAT Fisheries, including a ban on shark finning as well as requirements for shark data collection and assessment.

The winning proposal was co-sponsored by the United States, the European Community, Japan, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago and Venzuela. Namibia, Brazil and Uruguay made strong statements of support for the proposal. The final Recommendation also calls for research into increasing selectivity of fishing gear and identification of shark nursery areas.

South Korea was the only country to express hesitation with the finning ban; they reserved their right to file an objection to the measures and have six months to do so.

More information will be available tomorrow in various press releases.

The environmental community is most grateful to the U.S. government for their continued leadership in international shark conservation.

Sonja V. Fordham
International Fish Conservation Program Manager
The Ocean Conservancy
1725 DeSales Street, NW
Suite 600
Washington, DC 20036

[Tim Ingmire]

Originally Posted by Steve W

The environmental community is most grateful to the U.S. government for their continued leadership in international shark conservation.

Somebody pass me a brandy quick.

Well, hooorah for the US.

Lets get some action on this quick before they change their minds.

Anyway, this is a great step forward. I'll raise a glass to that.

[John Gulliver]

Dear George W,
We are very grateful to you for taking the lead on this issue, which won't cost you anything. Now we look forward to seeing you take the lead on some of the other environmental issues, ones that will involve your making the same sacrifices other nations have already accepted.
Yours sincerely,