UK and Overseas Territories sign agreement on conservation of sharks

Wednesday, June 20th 2012 - 00:48 UTC

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Minister Benyon: to protect these vulnerable species before they are lost forever

Endangered sharks will be given greater protection following Monday’s signing of an international agreement on the conservation of sharks, according to an announcement made by UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon.

The agreement, the first of its kind to address the global conservation of sharks, was signed by Richard Benyon on behalf of the UK and a number of its Overseas Territories including the Falklands and South Georgia. Adopted under the Convention of Migratory Species it will help develop management measures to protect threatened species such as basking, longfin mako and whale sharks.

Many of these sharks are not only found in UK waters, but in the waters of British Overseas Territories making UK involvement crucial in ensuring these animals get the protection they need.

Signing the agreement Benyon said: “We must do all we can to protect these vulnerable species before they are lost forever.

“The UK is already pushing the EU to tighten controls on the wasteful and barbaric practice of shark ‘finning’, and this agreement further demonstrates our determination to ensure they do have a future.

“We will continue to lead the way on shark conservation internationally and will push for improvements wherever they’re needed.”

Under the agreement, work will focus on improving fisheries data for threatened shark species to help inform conservation and management actions. It will see better co-ordination of shark management and conservation measures at regional and international levels, including proposals to limit the catch or trade in endangered species of shark.

Benyon’s signature also extended the agreement to the UK Overseas Territories of Bermuda, the Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Indian Ocean Territories and the Isle of Man.

Categories: Environment, Fisheries, International.

Tags: British overseas territories, Convention of Migratory Species, Falkland Islands, Richard Benyon, sharks, South Georgia, United Kingdom.

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Conor
Good news no Doubt Argentine will accuse us of not Militarising the south atlantic but worst of all- 'SHARKARISING THE SOUTH ATLANTIC WHEN THIS IS A REGION OF PIECE!!!!!!'
Jun 20th, 2012 - 02:20 am 0
Self Determination
Beware the botox shark.Toothless but thrashes about.
Jun 20th, 2012 - 05:32 am 0
johnfarrel2050
Uk only try to justify the stealing of this territories and is trying to convince some country to support its false arguments to steal this territories and overseas areas. This country is searching a “good reason” or a “more acceptable reason” to steal these territories and overseas areas. But don´t worry the truth can´t be hidden this territories and overseas areas were stolen and nothing can change that. Why Uk doesn´t try to go to the Artic to steal territories and overseas areas, doing this nonsense actions performed near South America? I think that uk knows that in this case a lot of countries will make claims to uk because the territories and overseas areas can´t be stolen, there aren´t any good reason which can justify this unacceptable behaviour. However, It seems that uk didn´t realized that the pirate time is over . Now, this country is performing these pirate actions, but this country is trying to do that in a “more acceptable way” to try to be accepted by international community. But It is enough to know a little of story to avoid being cheated by UK. I´m sure that this stupid actions are not enough to believe in the UK´s lies.
Jun 20th, 2012 - 06:00 am 0

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