Motion: Shark finning

Categorized | Motions

Posted on 14 February 2012 by Cate

453. Ms Faehrmann to move—
1. That this House notes that:
(a) sharks play an important role in the maintenance of healthy and productive marine
ecosystems,
(b) sharks are vulnerable to over-exploitation due to their biological characteristics,
(c) targeted shark fisheries all around the world have led to dramatic population declines,
(d) the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group
has determined the global conservation status of 64 species of pelagic sharks and rays
and classified 32 percent as threatened with extinction, primarily due to overfishing,
(e) the international demand for shark fin is rapidly increasing,
(f) New South Wales has a targeted shark fishery which supplies the domestic and Asian
shark fin market – the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery,
(g) there is a 110t limit for sharks in the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery in place until the end
of January 2012 and it is a condition of the Commonwealth Environment Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 export approval for the fishery that this level of take
be reviewed by mid 2012 and for new shark management measures to be put in place,
(h) the CSIRO (2010) Review of Shark Catches in the Ocean Trap and Line Fishery stated
that the two main species targeted by the shark sector of the fishery, sandbar shark and
dusky shark have proved to be highly susceptible to population declines caused by
fishing mortality on reproductive adults across their range,
(i) the states of California, Hawaii, Washington and Oregon have bans on the possession
and sale of shark fins, and
(j) the Canadian cities of Toronto, Mississuaga, Oakville, Pickering and Brantford have bans
on shark fin, and
(k) the Bahamas, Honduras, Maldives and Palau outlaw targeted shark fishing in their
waters. Legislative Council Notice Paper No. 75—Tuesday 3 April 2012
4119
2. That this House calls on the Government to undertake an independent review of the ecological
sustainability of the trade in shark fins from sharks caught in NSW fisheries.
(Notice given 14 February 2012—expires Notice Paper No. 79

19 Comments For This Post

Bill & Rowena Godwin Says:
April 4th, 2012 at 6:49 pm
When Will People STOP?? When Everything Has Been Hunted & Culled Out Of Existence
Anne Maher Says:
April 5th, 2012 at 11:07 am
This is a sickening treatment of marine life. Greedy, callous and ignorant. Sharks may not be our preferred creature to cosy up with, but this is totally unacceptable treatment and cruelty. Pretty soon, the oceans will be wiped out.

Sharks are here for a very good reason – they are necessary to the healthy balance of marine life and must be protected from these atrocities and destruction. With all our surrounding oceans, we have a responsibility to protect them from extinction and gross destruction.
Mick Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 7:46 pm
Cate, as you know, the Australian Anti Shark Finning Alliance is behind you 100% on this matter, could we suggest however in order to tighten this proposed legislation that you include the ‘trade’ in shark fin also.

Cate, thank you so much for doing what you do, wish there were more like you.
Ged Maybury Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 7:56 pm
Onya, Cate! This voter is right behind you. Power to you. Endure!
helen Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:02 pm
Well done on being so pro active in this particular area Cate, I wish our Federal People were as on the ball as you are. As a me member of TAASFA I to concur with Mick that in order to fully protect the Various Species of shark it is just as important to include the trade in shark fin as well.
Carolyn Janson Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Ms Faerhmann, I also applaud and support you in this motion. And I hope other MPs and Senators will follow. The matter is urgent.
Grace Keast Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:23 pm
Thanks Cate for trying to protect the apex predator of the oceans.

They need all the help and support they can get. Especially here in WA with the recent tragic fatalities.

Please keep pushing for the motion against shark finning.
Zephatali Walsh Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:28 pm
Good on you Cate. As Mick says, this needs to be tightened to include the trade of shark fin as well. The sale of -namely- shark fin soup at many, many resturaunts around Australia needs to stop if we are to curb the decimation of marine biodiversity.

That being said, it is heartening and joyous to finally see one of our Government representatives taking a stand for marine life. This move concretes my vote for the Greens party.

As you are plainly aware, the degradation of tertiary predator populations has and will create marine environments that do not sustain themselves and legislation like your proposal needs to quickly be implamented not only for the protection of biodiversity but to set an example to the world, particularly our developing neighbours. Please carry my support and thanks to your party and know that you have much support for taking this stance.
Leanne Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 8:43 pm
Keep up the good work, Cate. Someone has to stop the madness. Australia are falling behind the rest of the world … again.
Jupp Kerckerinck Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 9:11 pm
It is good to know that people like MP Cate Faehrmann exist, who have the guts to do what is right. We need to stop the Finning Mafia and the trade and possession of shark fins as well as the exploitation of our oceans. I hope that her example will create more such brave people.
Eva Says:
April 7th, 2012 at 10:45 pm
Keep pushing this Cate, we humans have to realise that we don’t have the right to destroy everything we see all in the name of vanity and status.
christina Says:
April 8th, 2012 at 1:18 am
thank you
Lauren Says:
April 8th, 2012 at 1:32 am
Humans won’t stop till we completely spoil our planet and all of the creatures in it. Sharks have been around for millions and millions of years and yet stand to be destroyed by human beings… it’s so sad. And I agree with you Mick, tightening up on the trade as well as just the act itself is so important. They are being overfished into extinction and it has to stop now rather than when it is too late.
Daryl Stafford Says:
April 8th, 2012 at 4:13 am
Please ban shark finning, it’s barbaric and wasteful as well as being very damaging to the ecology of the oceans!
Paul Says:
April 8th, 2012 at 4:37 am
I do concur, indeed superlative Cate! – greatly appreciated.
Mary-Anne Mathews Says:
April 8th, 2012 at 7:49 pm
Hi Cate, I would like to offer you my support as I have with The Australian Shark Finning Alliance. I try to do what ever I’m able to in order to stop this disgraceful act of cruelty, which like so many other animal cruelty and hunting practices is all about the money. What ever is able to be done to put a stop to this I’m all for, and sincerely thank you for your involvement and contributions.
Kind regards,
Mary-Anne
Julie Talty Says:
April 9th, 2012 at 12:19 pm
I support a ban on the sale and trade of shark fin and shark fin products.
Suzi Van Der Kaay Says:
April 9th, 2012 at 6:53 pm
This horrendous trade needs to STOP immediately…
Catherine Pye Says:
April 12th, 2012 at 1:35 pm
I think shark fishing should be banned.
Trade in shark fin soup should be banned.
I dont believe restaurants in Australia should sell shark fin soup!
I dont understand why shark fin fishing is allowed in Australia.