King Charles III this week signed into law a ban on the import and export of shark fins.
The news puts the UK at the forefront of global shark conservation and represents an important blow to the shark fin trade.
At the same time, it marks the culmination of eight years of campaigning by Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation. Since 2015, the organization’s “No Fin To Declare” campaign has exposed the UK’s involvement in the shark fin trade, achieved national broadcast and print media, engaged politicians, enrolled celebrities, prompted petitions and, in the last 12 months, helped steer a private members’ bill through parliament for Royal Assent.
Graham Buckingham, campaign director for Bite-Back, said:
“This is a huge day for shark conservation and proof that persistence pays off. For the sake of the oceans, we hope this news will encourage other countries to follow the UK’s lead and put an end to the devastating, barbaric and needless trade in shark fins.”
For more info on Bite-Back’s activities, go to bite-back.com.
