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Awareness is growing that shark finning is both cruel and wasteful. ricardoazoury/istock
WASHINGTON—Humane Society International applauds Taiwan’s national fisheries agency for the decision to strengthen its shark management policy and implement a fins-naturally-attached measure beginning next year.
Taiwan’s new regulations will do away with the loophole-filled “fin-to-carcass” ratio regulation and mandate that sharks must land ashore with their fins naturally attached to their bodies. Taiwan will be the first country in Asia to employ a full ban on shark finning.
“This is a remarkable decision by the Taiwanese government. As one of the world’s top shark catching and fin trading countries, Taiwan’s latest announcement will set a regional trend and will likely put pressure on other Asian countries that have thus far resisted international pressure to improve their shark finning regulations,” said Iris Ho, wildlife campaigns manager for HSI.
See a timeline of progress in the fight to stop shark finning
HSI recently met with the Taiwanese fisheries agency and urged the government to follow in the footsteps of the United States and a growing number of Latin American countries to implement fins-attached policy to prevent shark finning. A fins-attached policy enables countries to assess their shark catches by species, thereby facilitating the adoption of effective conservation measures.
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Humane Society International and its partner organizations together constitute one of the world’s largest animal protection organizations — backed by 11 million people. For nearly 20 years, HSI has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty worldwide — On the Web at hsi.org.