SHARK FIN HISTORY

Today, King Charles III signed into law a ban on the import and export of shark fins. The news puts the UK at the forefront of global shark conservation and represents an important blow to the shark fin trade.

At the same time, it marks the culmination of eight years campaigning by Bite-Back Shark & Marine Conservation. Since 2015, our No Fin To Declare campaign has exposed the UK’s dark and controversial involvement in the shark fin trade, achieved national broadcast and print media, engaged politicians, enrolled celebrities, prompted petitions and, in the last 12 months, helped steer a private members‘ bill through parliament for Royal Assent.

Campaign director for Bite-Back, Graham Buckingham, said: “This is a huge day for shark conservation and proof that persistence pays off. For the sake of the oceans, we hope this news will encourage other countries to follow the UK’s lead and put an end to the devastating, barbaric and needless trade in shark fins.”

The charity is quick to acknowledge the visionary work of Christina Rees MP and Baroness Maggie Jones in parliament and the House of Lords that has taken this private members’bill all the way to the palace.

TV presenter, wildlife expert and patron of Bite-Back, Steve Backshall MBE, said: “This news puts the UK at the vanguard of shark conservation. Huge congratulations to Bite-Back who have made this its lifetime work and huge thanks to everyone involved in this landmark victory for sharks.”