The Scottish Sea Angling Conservation Network is delighted that, following years of campaigning backed up by the data from its Scottish Shark Tagging Programme [SSTP], tope [Galeorhinus galeus] is a new addition to the European Commission’s recommendation for prohibited fish in 2015.
SSACN’s work and campaigns contributed to the designation of a Scottish Statutory Instrument [SSI] for tope in 2012. This designation made tope in Scottish waters the best protected in Europe.
However, due to the highly migratory nature of tope, evidenced by several tagging programmes, we have spent many years campaigning and lobbying for an increase in their protection throughout European waters.
While inclusion on this new list does not automatically mean increased protection for tope [and the other shark species on the list, including spurdog and porbeagle], it does mean that they will be discussed directly by all EU Fisheries Ministers in a meeting on the 15th and 16th of December this year.
Ian Burrett from the SSTP says: ‘I have been tagging tope for many years and every year there are fewer of them. It cannot be a coincidence that they are disappearing and the EU has no science based catch limit for them anywhere.’
The SSTP has noted declines in tope numbers over the last decade and since they are targeted by several nations there is sure to be some opposition to their inclusion on the list.
However, this is a major step towards increased protection for this charismatic species and SSACN is delighted that its sustained efforts have propelled the species into the frame of discussion at these December meetings.
The final proposal will be decided at the meeting on the 16th Xecember and all decisions will come into effect from the 1st of January 2015.