Shark Fins Act 2023
| Act of Parliament | |
 | |
| Long title | An Act to prohibit the import and export of shark fins and to make provision relating to the removal of fins from sharks. |
|---|---|
| Citation | 2023 c. 22 |
| Introduced by | Christina Rees MP (Commons) Baroness Jones of Whitchurch (Lords) |
| Territorial extent |
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| Dates | |
| Royal assent | 29 June 2023 |
| Commencement | 29 June 2023 |
Status: Current legislation | |
| Text of statute as originally enacted | |
| Text of the Shark Fins Act 2023 as in force today (including any amendments) within the United Kingdom, from legislation.gov.uk. | |
The Shark Fins Act 2023 (c. 22) is an act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom designed to ban the import and export of shark fins.
Background
[edit]Shark finning had been banned in the UK since 2003 through the Shark Finning Regulation and since 2009 policy known as "Fins Naturally Attached" has been enforced to enhance enforcement against illegal farming of sharks and by UK vessels worldwide.[1] An electronic parliamentary petition received over 100,000 signatures.[2]
Spain accounted for the largest market for shark fins exported from the UK, with 94% of UK shark fin exports going to Spain.[2]
Provisions
[edit]The Act restricts the export and import of shark fins through applying existing trade legislation.[3]
Parliamentary passage
[edit]The bill was introduced as a private member's bill.[3]
Legislative consent motions were successfully sought from the Scottish Parliament and the Senedd.[3] There was no Northern Ireland Assembly, so there was no legislative consent motion necessary for Northern Ireland.[3]
Reception
[edit]The Act was supported by the Shark Trust.[4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "UK's Shark Fins Act passes into law". Oceanographic Magazine. CX Media Ltd. 30 June 2023.
- ^ a b Ares, Elena (18 January 2023). "Shark Fins Bill 2022-23" (PDF). House of Commons Library. UK Parliament. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
- ^ a b c d Brown, Thomas (9 March 2023). "Shark Fins Bill: HL Bill 93 of 2022–23" (PDF). House of Lords Library. UK Parliament. Retrieved 19 October 2024.
- ^ "UK Tightens Law on International Shark Fin Trade". The Deep. 30 June 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2024.