Safeguarding Sharks and Rays of the Atlantic and Mediterranean through RFMOs
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Non-governmental organization (NGO)
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#OceanAction41115
Description
Sharks and rays are among the oceans most vulnerable yet under-protected animals. Many populations have been seriously overfished, putting entire ecosystems at risk. Most countries lack catch limits for key species, while many finning bans - relying on complicated ratios instead of complete prohibitions of removal of fins at sea - remain weak. The sharks and rays of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea are particularly beleaguered. International and domestic fisheries management improvements are urgently needed to protect these vulnerable species from overfishing and finning. Sustained engagement by experienced conservationists is vital for driving ambitious policies that ensure long-term sustainability of shared resources.
Sound management for wide-ranging shark and ray species is urgently needed, and requires many countries working responsibly in concert.
Solutions and Objectives:
The world's Regional Fishery Management Organizations (RFMOs) provide an avenue for swift conservation action throughout shark and ray species ranges. RFMO decisions are critical to the sustainability of regional shark and ray populations, and can bring significant cascading benefits for other areas and species. Improved management by the RFMOs governing Atlantic and Mediterranean fisheries is essential for the effective conservation of scores of shark and ray species.
The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT): ICCAT has before it scientific advice that could lead to groundbreaking catch limits for the worlds most heavily fished oceanic sharks: shortfin mako and blue sharks. If adopted, such measures would prompt the first such limits for European Union fleets (which have the worlds highest landings of these species) and could inspire similar measures on a global scale. Meanwhile, support is growing among ICCAT members for a stronger regional finning ban.
Objective: ICCAT Parties to agree science-based international fishing limits for shortfin mako and blue sharks, and a ban on removing shark fins at sea
The General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM): The GFCM 2012 ban on fishing and retaining the 24 species of exceptionally vulnerable Mediterranean shark and ray species (listed on Annex II of the Barcelona Convention, an international environmental treaty aimed at protecting the Mediterranean) includes commercially valuable shortfin makos, endangered guitarfishes, and critically endangered angel sharks. There is, however, very little evidence that the measure has been properly implemented through domestic prohibitions.
Objective: GFCM to address non-compliance with the shark and ray measure, and its Parties to immediately adopt corresponding national bans, as agreed in 2012.
The Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO): NAFO began limiting the regions international skate fisheries in 2004, but quotas have remained higher than the level advised by scientists. The excessive catch limits leave room for serious overfishing, particularly for depleted thorny skates. There is also need to examine the sustainability of exceptionally vulnerable deep sea shark species that are taken incidentally in NAFO fisheries.
Objective: NAFO Parties to reduce skate quotas to align with scientific advice, and to safeguard deep sea sharks.
SDGS & Targets
Goal 14
Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
14.1
By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
14.1.1
(a) Index of coastal eutrophication; and (b) plastic debris density
14.2
By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans
14.2.1
Number of countries using ecosystem-based approaches to managing marine areas
14.3
Minimize and address the impacts of ocean acidification, including through enhanced scientific cooperation at all levels
14.3.1
14.4
By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics
14.4.1
14.5
By 2020, conserve at least 10 per cent of coastal and marine areas, consistent with national and international law and based on the best available scientific information
14.5.1
14.6
By 2020, prohibit certain forms of fisheries subsidies which contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, eliminate subsidies that contribute to illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and refrain from introducing new such subsidies, recognizing that appropriate and effective special and differential treatment for developing and least developed countries should be an integral part of the World Trade Organization fisheries subsidies negotiation
14.6.1
Degree of implementation of international instruments aiming to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing
14.7
By 2030, increase the economic benefits to Small Island developing States and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism
14.7.1
Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing States, least developed countries and all countries
14.a
Increase scientific knowledge, develop research capacity and transfer marine technology, taking into account the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission Criteria and Guidelines on the Transfer of Marine Technology, in order to improve ocean health and to enhance the contribution of marine biodiversity to the development of developing countries, in particular small island developing States and least developed countries
14.a.1
14.b
Provide access for small-scale artisanal fishers to marine resources and markets
14.b.1
Degree of application of a legal/regulatory/policy/institutional framework which recognizes and protects access rights for small‐scale fisheries
14.c
Enhance the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources by implementing international law as reflected in United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, which provides the legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of oceans and their resources, as recalled in paragraph 158 of "The future we want"
14.c.1
Number of countries making progress in ratifying, accepting and implementing through legal, policy and institutional frameworks, ocean-related instruments that implement international law, as reflected in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, for the conservation and sustainable use of the oceans and their resources
SDG 14 targets covered
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| 14.4 | By 2020, effectively regulate harvesting and end overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing and destructive fishing practices and implement science-based management plans, in order to restore fish stocks in the shortest time feasible, at least to levels that can produce maximum sustainable yield as determined by their biological characteristics |
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Contact Information
Ania Budziak, Associate Director of Programs at Project AWARE