November 2010: The European Commission launched an online consultation to gather information on all relevant aspects of fisheries catching sharks, to determine legislative amendments to ensure that the EU’s shark finning ban is fully enforced.

The consultation is open until 21 February 2011 for the scientific community, industry, Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, NGOs and other interested parties to express their views on options for improving the implementation of the EU’s ban on shark finning. The results of the consultation, together with the recommendations of competent scientific bodies, will feed into a legislative process in 2011. Shark finning has been banned by the EU since 2003 through legislation applicable to all vessels fishing in EU waters and to all EU vessels, wherever they operate. [The online consultation][Press release]