Press Releases

EU and US Prevent Vital Protections for Endangered Mako Sharks

Mallorca, Spain. November 25, 2019. Conservationists are shocked and distressed that the European Union and the United States – despite long promoting science-based shark conservation - were the main obstacles to the adoption of urgently needed protections for mako sharks at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Download Press Release (Word Document)

EU Holds the Cards for Endangered Atlantic Sharks

London, November 2019. It’s make or break time for Shortfin Makos as Spain sets to host international fisheries meeting. Conservationists are focused on the European Union ahead of an international gathering of fishing nations that could make or break the future of Endangered mako sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document)

18 Shark & Ray Species Granted New Global Trade Controls at Wildlife Conference

Geneva, Switzerland. August 28, 2019. Conservation groups are praising today’s confirmation that all species of Wedgefishes, Giant Guitarfishes, and Mako Sharks will be added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Download Press Release (Word Document)

Scientists Issue Grim Status Update on Atlantic Mako Sharks, Recommend Full Ban Conservationists put the spotlight on the EU for inaction and hypocrisy

London, UK. 24 June 2019. A new report shows that the overfished North Atlantic Shortfin Mako Shark population is continuing to decline and needs not only immediate protection but several decades to recover. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Full Protection for Angel Sharks in the Canary Islands

Canary Islands, 06 June 2019. The Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition has announced today that angel shark populations are fully protected in the Canary Islands, through inclusion on the Spanish Endangered Species List. Download Press Release (Word Document) - English | Spanish

Landings of Endangered Rays in Tunisia Denounced

London, UK. 09 April 2019. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing of Endangered Giant Devil Rays in Kelibia, Tunisia, in contravention of international agreements to protect the species. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Initiative launched to Avert Crisis for Critically Endangered Mediterranean Angel Sharks

Tunis, 29 March 2019. Just five days after the IUCN reconfirmed all three species of Mediterranean angel sharks are Critically Endangered, regional and international experts gathered together in Tunisia. Download Press Release (pdf): English | French | Arabic

World’s Fastest Shark Headed for Disaster

Dubrovnik, Croatia. November 19, 2018. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to address continued overfishing of mako sharks or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (pdf)

Stronger Finning Ban Agreed for Mediterranean Sharks

Rome, Italy. October 26, 2018. In a groundbreaking decision, fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) have adopted an EU proposal to strengthen the regional ban on “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). Download Press Release (Word Document)

Targeting Arctic Shark Banned by North Atlantic Fishery Managers

Tallinn, Estonia. September 21, 2018. Fishery managers have taken conservation action for the Greenland shark – the species thought to have the longest lifespan of any vertebrate. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Turkey Takes Sweeping Action to Protect Endangered Sharks & Rays

London, UK. April 20, 2018. A year after denouncing Turkey for the landing of 30 Endangered Giant Devil Rays, the Shark League is applauding the country for announcing protections for this and 13 other species of rays and sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Shark Fishing Decisions at Atlantic Tuna Meeting Fall Short

Marrakech, Morocco. November 21, 2017. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to adopt recommended limits to protect shortfin mako sharks from overfishing or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Scientists Report on Mako Shark Overfishing, Advise North Atlantic Ban

London. 11 October 2017. Scientists associated with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) today released their report on the status of Atlantic mako shark populations, revealing serious overfishing and depletion in the North Atlantic.shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Endangered Devil Ray Landings in Turkey Denounced

London, UK. March 15, 2017. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing in Turkey of 30 Giant Devil Rays in contravention of Mediterranean agreements to protect the Endangered species. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Baby Step for Blue Sharks, New Voices Against Finning at Atlantic Tuna Meeting

Vilamoura, Portugal. November 21, 2016. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have taken a small yet unprecedented step toward establishing limits on blue shark catches from the North Atlantic, but failed to act on scientific advice to do the same for the South Atlantic. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Conservationists Welcome Shark & Ray Listings at CITES CoP

Johannesburg, October 4, 2016. Conservationists are delighted that CITES* Parties have officially listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the silky shark under CITES Appendix II. The listing proposals were supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption in Committee on Monday, and finalised today in Plenary. Download Press Release (pdf)

Northwest Atlantic Fishing Countries Take Action for Sharks: Cuba & Norway Help US & EU Win Stronger Finning Ban Despite Japan’s Objection. Greenland Sharks Get Spotlight While Skates Remain At-Risk

Varadero, Cuba. September 23, 2016. In a rare vote, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has adopted a proposal for a stronger shark finning ban by an overwhelming margin, despite objections from Japan. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Angelsharks in the Canary Islands – the last hope for this Critically Endangered shark

Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. June 23 2016. A major step toward securing the future of the Angelshark was taken this week. A multi-faceted group of divers, scientists and conservation organisations are working together with the Canary Island Government, National Government, and local and international shark experts to identify and address the major threats to Angelshark conservation. Download Press Release: English (pdf) | Spanish (Word Document)

Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?
Leading shark charity calls for Europe to embed a ‘culture of sustainability’ in shark fisheries

March 18, 2016. On Good Friday, millions of Britons will witness the extraordinary sight of scores of sharks feeding off a floating whale carcass in UK waters. In ‘Britain’s Sharks’, the second part of a new prime-time ITV documentary, viewers will see Ben Fogle and Ellie Harrison come face to face with more than a hundred Blue Sharks that call British waters home for part of the year. Download Press Release (Word Document)

Twenty-two Shark and Ray Species Added to Scope of Global Agreement

San Jose, Costa Rica. February 19, 2016. Signatories to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Sharks have unanimously agreed to add twenty-two species of sharks and rays to the MoU scope, and to accept the applications of six conservation groups as Cooperating Partners in fulfilling MoU objectives. Download Press Release (Word Document)