Shark Fins Act 2023
The Shark Fins Bill was given Royal assent on the 29 June 2023, which meant it is now a law and renamed the Shark Fins Act 2023.

The Bill originally aimed to prohibit the import and export of shark fins and to make provision relating to the removal of fins from sharks.

It was sponsored by Christina Rees, Labour, from Neath

The presence and variety of sharks in marine areas are vital for the oceans health while playing a vital role in marine ecosystems by helping to maintain healthy levels of fish below them in the food chain.

Although the fishing of sharks fins in UK waters has been banned in the UK since 2003, between 75 and 100 million sharks are still killed each year worldwide.

The demand has had significant impact on the 500 known species of shark. At least 140 of these species are now on the critically endangered list.

The import and export of shark fins is now banned which is great news for the conservation of sharks globally.

The new Act also now extends to the ban of anyone fishing in any UK waters and any UK vessels worldwide. The ban extends to the import and export of shark fins and any shark fin related products too.