Sealord welcomes proposed shark finning ban

Sealord welcomes a proposal by the Ministers of Conservation and Primary Industries to ban all shark finning in New Zealand waters.

Although the removal of shark fins from dead sharks has been permissible, Sealord adopted a no-finning policy in May 2012 in line with its sustainability policy.

According to General Manager Sealord Fishing, Doug Paulin, the Sealord Position on Shark Finning was adopted as the company did not want to encourage the market for shark fins which could in turn encourage unscrupulous operators.

“Sealord stopped commercially selling shark fins 18 months ago and does not to derive any financial benefit from the sale of shark fins,” said Paulin.

He noted New Zealand shark stocks are among the best managed and well-studied in the world and that removing fins from live sharks has been outlawed for several years.

“The new proposal takes this a step further and Sealord believes this is a positive step to show New Zealand is listening to the global community and prepared to respond in a positive way,” said Paulin.

Sealord’s policy also aligns with the International Seafood Sustainability Foundation (ISSF) resolution to prohibit shark finning in tuna fisheries around the world.

ENDS

© Scoop Media