Marine Life & Conservation
Shark finning will be outlawed in New Zealand in Two years from now
New Zealand says it’ll be using a whole raft of measures to enforce tough new laws against shark finning in the country.
It’s already illegal in New Zealand to slice the fin off a shark and throw the animal back alive.
But Wellington has just announced an extension of the ban to begin within two years, which will outlaw finning a shark and dumping the carcass at sea.
The New Zealand Conservation Minister Nick Smith says his country needs to be setting standards on marine conservation.
“We want to put the pressure on the fishing industry to better utilise the full carcass of the shark.”
“Or if in fact it’s such a marginal activity in terms of not even being able to justify keeping a carcass on board then they need to return the complete shark back into the water alive.”
The UN says shark stocks are being decimated globally, mostly because their fins are a sought after delicacy in China.
But Mr Smith says attitudes towards shark conservation are changing around with the world.
China has just announced a ban on shark fin soup at all official functions.
Mr Smith admits his country’s new laws will he hard to monitor but says authorities will have a range of strategies.
“We are in New Zealand now installing cameras on the rear of vessels so we can see exactly what’s going on, them being remote controlled by the ministry of primary industries,” he said.
“We’ve also got many vessels with observers.
“And there’s also been a substantial tightening in the law, with some significant controversy, requiring vessels that are fishing in New Zealand waters, including our exclusive economic zone, to be New Zealand flagged, for the very reason you can have all the rules you like but you’ve actually got to be able to enforce them.”
Read more on this story here.
The Shark Trust is excited to announce that, for two more days only, all donations, large or small, will be doubled in the Big Give Green Match Fund!
Donate to Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants
The Shark Trust is hoping to raise £10k which will be doubled to £20k. This will go towards Basking in Nature: Sighting Giants. And they need YOUR help to reach they’re goal.
The Shark Trust’s citizen science project is to monitor and assess basking sharks through sightings; encouraging data collection, community engagement, and promoting nature accessibility. This initiative aims to enhance health and wellbeing by fostering a deeper connection with British Sharks.
Campaign Aims
- Increase citizen science reporting of Basking Sharks and other shark sightings to help inform shark and ray conservation.
- Provide educational talks about the diverse range of sharks and rays in British waters and accessible identification guides!
- Create engaging and fun information panels on how to ID the amazing sharks and rays we have on our doorstep! These can be used on coastal paths around the Southwest. With activities and information on how you can make a difference for sharks and rays!
- Promote mental wellbeing through increasing time in nature and discovering the wonders beneath the waves!
Donate, and double your impact. Click Here
Marine Life & Conservation
Leading UK-based shark conservation charity, the Shark Trust, is delighted to announce tour operator Diverse Travel as a Corporate Patron
Corporate Patrons provide a valuable boost to the work of The Shark Trust. The Trust team works globally to safeguard the future of sharks, and their close cousins, the skates and rays, engaging with a global network of scientists, policymakers, conservation professionals, businesses and supporters to further shark conservation.
Specialist tour operator Diverse Travel has operated since 2014 and is committed to offering its guests high quality, sustainable scuba diving holidays worldwide. Working together with the Shark Trust will enable both organisations to widen engagement and encourage divers and snorkellers to actively get involved in shark conservation.
“Sharks are truly at the heart of every diver and at Diverse Travel, we absolutely share that passion. There is nothing like seeing a shark in the wild – it’s a moment that stays with you forever!” says Holly Bredin, Sales & Marketing Manager, Diverse Travel.
“We’re delighted to celebrate our 10th year of business by becoming a Corporate Patron of the Shark Trust. This is an exciting partnership for Diverse and our guests. We will be donating on behalf of every person who books a holiday with us to contribute towards their vital shark conservation initiatives around the world. We will also be working together with the Trust to inspire divers, snorkellers and other travellers to take an active role – at home and abroad – in citizen science projects and other activities.”
Paul Cox, CEO of The Shark Trust, said:
“It’s an exciting partnership and we’re thrilled to be working with Diverse Travel to enable more divers and travellers to get involved with sharks and shark conservation. Sharks face considerable conservation challenges but, through collaboration and collective action, we can secure a brighter future for sharks and their ocean home. This new partnership takes us one more valuable step towards that goal.”
For more information about the Shark Trust visit their website here.
For more about Diverse Travel click here.
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