Displaying items by tag: Higgins

6th April 2011

Higgins Asks EU for Progress on Shark Finning Laws

Jim Higgins MEP has asked the European Commission to outline its progress on the review of shark finning legislation, which he says should be updated to close a loophole allowing the illegal activity to persist in the EU. "Environmental experts estimate a fifth of the world's shark, skate and ray species are at risk of extinction and a primary reason for that threat is the cruel practice of Shark finning. I want to see the EU close any existing loopholes to ensure a full and proper ban on shark finning is implemented," Mr Higgins, who is a member of the European Parliament's Fisheries Committee, said.

"Sharks are captured and their fins cut off before the remaining carcasses are thrown back into the sea. The practice was made illegal in the EU in 2003, but under the present regulations, Member States are able to issue special permits to exempt fishing vessels from the ban," the North West MEP explained.

Under the exemption, the weight of fins kept from the catch must not exceed 5% of the live weight of the shark catch. However, reports have found the fins of some shark species did not typically represent 5% of the live weight of a shark, creating a loophole that meant finning could take place unnoticed.

"Anti-finning campaigners want to see the adoption of a requirement that sharks be landed with their fins naturally attached to their bodies. It is an issue that needs to be addressed urgently and I would ask the Commission to update MEPs on their progress towards new legislation in this area which will completely outlaw shark finning," Mr Higgins added.

Globally, sharks are captured for their meat, fins, liver and oil. However, it is the fins that command high prices, fetching up to 300 euros/kg in Hong Kong.

Published in Fishing

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At A Glance – Star Specifications

Designer Francis Sweisguth
Year 1910
Crew 2 (Skipper + Crew)
S + 1.5 C ≤ 250 kg (550 lb)[1]
Draft 1.016 m (3 ft 4 in)
Hull Type keelboat
Hull weight ≥ 671 kg (1,479 lb)
(including keel)
LOA 6.922 m (22 ft 9 in)
LWL 4.724 m (15 ft 6 in)
Beam 1.734 m (5 ft 8 in) at deck
1.372 m (4 ft 6 in) at chine
Hull appendages
Keel/board type bulb keel
401.5 ± 7 kg (885 ± 15 lb)
Rig
Rig type sloop
Mast length 9.652 m (31 ft 8 in)
Sails
Mainsail area 20.5 m2 (221 sq ft)
Jib/genoa area 6.0 m2 (65 sq ft)
Upwind sail area ≤ 26.5 m2 (285 sq ft)