The operation of Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003  on the removal of fins of sharks on board vessels

 The committee adopted the own-initiative report drawn up by Rosa MIGUÉLEZ RAMOS (PSE, ES) in response to the Commission report on the application of the 2003 regulation on the removal of shark fins on board vessels. MEPs congratulated the Commission on the "clarity and conciseness" of its report and encouraged it to continue monitoring the application of the regulation. However, they regretted that not all Member States were complying properly with their obligations as regards both monitoring their vessels and forwarding the mandatory reports, and they urged the Commission to ensure that these obligations are met without exception.

The report called on the Commission to put forward a proposal for amending the regulation in such a way as to ensure that the theoretical ratios of fin weight to live weight are revised, especially for the species Prionacea glauca, to reflect its morphological characteristics. The committee also wanted to see amendments in order to address the enforcement difficulties created by the provision for the landing of fins and carcasses at separate ports.

The Commission was asked to report to Parliament and Council no later than 1 January 2009 on the continued operation of the regulation, taking into account international developments in this field, and to propose amendments where necessary. Lastly, MEPs wanted the Commission to present by 30 June 2007 a Community Action Plan for the conservation of sharks and seabirds, as proposed in its communication entitled "Halting the Loss of Biodiversity by 2010 - and Beyond" (COM(2006)0216).