Removal of shark fins on board vessels : initial appraisal of a European Commission impact assessment

This note seeks to provide an initial appraisal of the apparent strengths and weaknesses of the European Commission's Impact Assessment accompanying its proposal for a Regulation amending Regulation (EC) 1185/2003 on the removal of fins of sharks on board vessels. The objective of the Commission's proposal is to enhance the conservation and sustainability of shark stocks. The existing 2003 Regulation on the subject already bans the 'finning' of sharks (whereby carcasses would be discarded at sea), but allows member states to issue special permits to allow fins to be removed on board of fishing vessels, on the condition that the carcasses are not discarded. The proposal would amend this Regulation by prohibiting the removal of shark fins on board vessels, so facilitating effective control and data gathering.