Europe - big Progress!

Looks like Europe is starting to listen.

Just got this link from the Alex the Sharkman.
Congratulations to The European Fisheries Commission where I continue to be a fan - and yes, to the Shark Alliance as well. This is not a done deal quite yet as it is only a proposal and the national Fisheries Ministers have to ratify it, so here's to those guys doing the right thing.

And there's more good news for Sharks.
The European Union has signed the United Nations Convention on Migratory Species Memorandum of Understanding for Sharks. Again, it's not the finished thing but certainly big progress.

Kudos.
I must say that coupled with the Shark protection measures in Florida, the Silky Shark protection by ICCAT and the protection of the Porbeagle in Europe, this past week has been pretty awesome!

So who's next?

Eu Finning Regulations - Decision pending!

Please read this.
It's only one, albeit important element in a whole list of improvements to Europe's Shark conservation laws that are being advocated by the Shark Alliance.

The decision is today.
Fingers crossed!

Discards - Madness!

Another British celebrity chef, another campaign.

It is so bad, it just totally defies comprehension.
One has to pick one's fights and I'm plenty busy with trying to do something for Sharks - but if you care, check out Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's Fishfight campaign website.

Instead of more words, watch the following: obscene!



Solutions?
This is probably unbelievably intractable, as it will likely imply re-writing the European Common Fisheries Policy that regulates the different quotas or TACs - just check out the TACs for 2011 and you'll see what I mean!
But thanks to people like Hugh (and a whole host of NGOs, too), the issue is now firmly on the table - and Maria Damanaki is on the right side of the divide.
Again - and yes I am a fan!

As I said, when it comes to Fisheries policies, I'm basically an ignoramus.But the following graph may be a good starting point for identifying the problem and finding solutions - and not only in the case of discards!
Check it out - see what I mean?