The Shark Fins Act 2023 receives Royal Assent

Our Director, Marc Nykolyszyn shares his thoughts after a long campaign for this important change in law.

“Today is a great day for sharks and the United Kingdom’s leadership on marine conservation as the Shark Fins Act becomes law.

This sends a clear message that this barbaric practice has no place in the UK and is a rallying call to other countries to follow suit and protect the future of these amazing animals” Marc said of the news that the Shark Fins Act 2022-2023 received Royal Assent this week.

Last year, Marc wrote about the long campaign around shark conservation and ending the practice of Shark Finning, legal protections and how the UK could be a global leader and an example to other nations.

You can read that article here

Conservative Friends of the Ocean Policy and Strategy Lead, Oliver Kerr added, “The Royal Assent of the Shark Fins Act today now means a ban on the import/export of detached fins and fin products is enshrined in UK law.

This is a huge step forward for global shark conservation, with the UK leading the way in rejecting the horrifying practice of shark finning, setting an example for the rest of the world and raising animal welfare standards for other countries to match.

Congratulations to all those involved, across all benches and both Houses in the Act's passage, which reinforces the UK’s position as a global leader in international conservation.”