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<p>In 2014, 2015 and 2016 there were no exports of shark fin products. In 2017 there
were 50 tonnes exported and in 2018 there were 35 tonnes exported.</p><p> </p><p>The
UK has banned shark finning through the EU Council resolution 605/2013 that states
that all sharks must be landed with their fins naturally attached to the carcass to
reduce the risk of finning occurring. We continue to champion this provision being
adopted globally.</p><p> </p><p>There are no legal constraints on exporting shark
fins from the UK per se. However, we have domestic legislation (e.g. the Wildlife
and Countryside Act and the Tope Order) which places emphasis on conservation of threatened
or endangered species, establishing a legal framework for the protection of such species
as well as jurisdiction over fisheries.</p><p> </p><p>In addition to domestic legislation,
there is regional protection through rules in the Common Fisheries Policy – either
through prohibitions, catch limits and/or gear restrictions (e.g. deep sea net restrictions),
and through Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs).</p><p> </p><p>We
also have international protection through a number of agreements such as the Convention
on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the Convention of Migratory
Species (CMS) and the Sharks MoU.</p><p> </p><p>The UK continues to press for stronger
regional and international controls. The UK played a leading role in successfully
championing the listing of an additional 18 shark species to appendix II of CITES
at the Conference on Parties in August this year. A CITES listing provides significant
conservation benefit by ensuring trade is monitored and can only take place in a sustainable
manner.</p><p> </p>
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