The NGO analyzed customs data from Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan "covering imports and exports of fins and meat over the period from 2003 to 2020", according to a press release.
"It reveals that EU Member States were the source of 45% of imported shark fin products" in these three areas in 2020.
"Spain is one of the world's leading exporters of shark fins", followed at European level by "Portugal, the Netherlands and France", according to this report.
"A total of 188,368 tonnes of shark fins were imported" into Hong Kong, Singapore and Taiwan between 2003 and 2020, Ifaw said.
"The EU is responsible for almost a third of these imports (28% on average, 53,407 tonnes) and its share of fin imports has increased significantly from 2017, reaching 45% in 2020", continues the NGO.
Shark fins drying in a street in Hong Kong, November 12, 2021 Bertha WANG AFP/Archives
“More than 50% of shark species are threatened or near threatened with extinction, and pelagic sharks (species of sharks living in the deep sea) have seen their populations decline by more than 70% in just 50 years”, warns Ifaw.
The EU must "ensure the accuracy of trade records. It must impose sustainability criteria for the trade in sharks", by listing the species traded in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Species of Sharks. wild fauna and flora threatened with extinction (CITES), allowing tight control of this marketing, requires the co-author of the report Barbara Slee, quoted in a press release.
"Taking on such a leadership role would undoubtedly encourage others to do the same, which would contribute to a better and sustainable future for sharks," she continues.
"Although many are placing the brunt of change on consumer countries, located mainly in Asia, all countries with fishing fleets (...) that market shark products have their share of responsibility", underlines Stan Shea, of the Bloom association, co-author of the report.
© 2022 AFP