CEPESCA insistes that the Spanish longline fleet does not engage in illegal finning practices. (Photo: T. Ezcurra)

Spanish longliners do not overfish sharks: CEPESCA

SPAIN
Thursday, June 04, 2009, 23:50 (GMT + 9)

The Spanish Fisheries Confederation (CEPESCA) rejected accusations levied by green groups against Spain’s longliner fleet, of which the environmentalists attribute "excesses in overexploiting protected shark species."

"We are proud of the fishery carried out by the Spanish longliner fleet, in regards to both swordfish and shark. [It is] a legal, regulated, sustainable and responsible fishery," said Javier Garat, Secretary General of the organisation, on the matter.

The Spanish fleet commercialises 100 per cent of the sharks it catches, that is, it does not partake in the well-known practice of "finning," consisting of cutting off fins and discarding the rest of the carcass, the entity leader confirmed.

"We consider the activity abominable and are prepared to denounce and punish anyone who undertakes it," Garat asserted.

The practice of shark finning has been prohibited since 2002 in Spain, and since 2003 in the European Union, he recalled.

On average, Spanish longliner vessels catch 45,000 tonnes of sharks per year, of which close to 95 per cent are blue and shortfin mako.

The Confederation also indicated that it is working with the Spanish Administration to institute a specific management plan aimed at preserving swordfish and pelagic shark populations.

According to the plan, the 180-strong longliner fleet from Spain must respect a 60-day shutdown between 1 August 2008 and 31 December 2009. In addition, another 95 longliner vessels from the Mediterranean Sea would also halt their activities for two months.

Under the Fleet Adaptation Programme (PAF), CEPESCA also proposed scrapping 10 longliner vessels in a bid to help secure a sustainable and responsible management of shark stocks.

The shark has multiple uses: its meat is consumed, its skin is used to make leather articles; vitamin A and squalene oil (a product used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry) is extracted from its liver; and its cartilage is used for medical purposes, Garat explained.

Finally, the Secretary General of the organisation insisted that consumers, and salespeople themselves, be fully informed on the species of shark that is ingested and commercialised through relevant labelling.

In his opinion, "it is the best way to guarantee the quality and traceability of fish products."

CEPESCA is a business organisation of national scope, which represents 46 shipowner associations, 1,550 companies and 1,897 coastal and offshore fishing vessels.

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