23:13 26 July 2021
EU responsible for almost quarter of world's shark meat trade: WWF
Every year, up to 100 million sharks and rays die, and about 36 percent of species of these animals are threatened with extinction, the WWF report points out. It has to do with overfishing and trade. EU countries play a significant role in this practice.
The Member States of the European Union are responsible for as much as 22 percent of world trade in shark meat, according to WWF's report, The Shark and Ray Meat Network. A Deep Dive into a Global Affair ”.
Spain, the world's largest exporter, is in the lead in this regard – it ships shark meat to 85 different countries and territories, as well as a significant importer. Italy is also a large importer from the EU.
Over the past decade, the largest trade in shark meat has been between Japan and Spain, Portugal and Spain, Great Britain and Spain, and Japan and Panama. According to experts, it is these countries that have the greatest influence on the movement of shark meat through world markets and they should implement better regulatory measures.
The trade with stingrays is less diversified. The main exporter is Argentina, and the importer is South Korea. The USA and Brazil are also important suppliers, they are also important suppliers, mainly to the South Korean market.
According to the report, the decline in sharks and rays is contributing to the deterioration of the ocean. Inhabiting them for over 400 million years, sharks play a key role in marine ecosystems. Sharks are also important for CO2 levels as they capture carbon dioxide.
