Sharks conservation efforts in Canada scored a major legislative victory with the passage of Bill C-68, also known as the Modernized Fisheries Act.
The legislation includes the banning of shark finning in Canadian waters and prohibits the import and export of shark fins.
“Today is a great day for our oceans. The overhauled Fisheries Act has the potential to be one of the most transformative things that has happened for our oceans in many years,” says Josh Laughren, Executive Director, Oceana Canada. “We thank Fisheries Minister Wilkinson and former Fisheries Minister Dominic LeBlanc for prioritizing rebuilding fish populations. The Act now lays a strong foundation to support healthy oceans for generations to come.”
The measures incorporate those of Bill S-238, the Ban on Shark Fin Importation and Exportation Act, which passed third reading in the Canadian Senate and second reading in the House of Commons.
“Over the last decade, Canada has become the largest per capita importer of shark fins in the world, most of which are fins from threatened or endangered species,” Senator Michael MacDonald, sponsor of Bill S-238, said. Banning the importation of shark fins is an important first step in the fight to preserve these important top predators.”
Fins from as many as 73 million sharks end up in the global shark fin trade every year, including many endangered species. Canada has been the largest importer of shark fins outside of Asia, importing approximately 150,000 kg of shark fins in 2018 alone. However, 81% of Canadians support the ban on the import of shark fins into Canada
“This decision marks a sea change for the welfare and conservation of sharks and is a victory all Canadians can be proud of. ” Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane Society International Canada said. “An estimated 100 million sharks are killed every year, largely for their fins, and Canada was a significant importer of shark fins. The extreme suffering of individual animals and the ecological devastation caused by this senseless practice is well documented. Our government has shown true leadership by responding to sound science and public will by ending Canada’s role in this cruel trade.”
Countries such as the Bahamas, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI), the Marshall Islands, Egypt and French Polynesia have bans on the sale of most or all shark fin products. Several individual US states also have banned the sale and trade of shark fin products, including California, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New York, and Oregon but a nationwide ban has failed to pass.