Press
For all press enquiries please contact:
- Ali Hood (Director of Conservation): +44 (0)7855 386083
- Paul Cox (Managing Director): +44 (0)7793 444058
POSITION STATEMENTS:
Click on the links below to read our position on:
PRESS RELEASES:
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Press Releases 2020
Canada Steps Up with Bid to Save Endangered Atlantic Mako Sharks
Halifax, Nova Scotia. 16 October 2020. Endangered Atlantic Shortfin Mako Sharks are set to take center stage in the 2020 deliberations of the International Commission for Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), with Canada today proposing science-based catch limits that include a complete retention ban to protect the seriously overfished North Atlantic population. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Canada Protects Endangered Mako Sharks with Groundbreaking Atlantic Ban
Halifax, Nova Scotia. 22 April 2020. Canada announces groundbreaking move to protect Shortfin Mako in the Atlantic after a sustained campaign by the Shark League to follow the advice of ICCAT scientists. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2016
Baby Step for Blue Sharks, New Voices Against Finning at Atlantic Tuna Meeting
Vilamoura, Portugal. November 21, 2016. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have taken a small yet unprecedented step toward establishing limits on blue shark catches from the North Atlantic, but failed to act on scientific advice to do the same for the South Atlantic. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Conservationists Welcome Shark & Ray Listings at CITES CoP
Johannesburg, October 4, 2016. Conservationists are delighted that CITES* Parties have officially listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the silky shark under CITES Appendix II. The listing proposals were supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption in Committee on Monday, and finalised today in Plenary. Download Press Release (pdf)
Northwest Atlantic Fishing Countries Take Action for Sharks: Cuba & Norway Help US & EU Win Stronger Finning Ban Despite Japan’s Objection. Greenland Sharks Get Spotlight While Skates Remain At-Risk
Varadero, Cuba. September 23, 2016. In a rare vote, the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization (NAFO) has adopted a proposal for a stronger shark finning ban by an overwhelming margin, despite objections from Japan. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Angelsharks in the Canary Islands – the last hope for this Critically Endangered shark
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. June 23 2016. A major step toward securing the future of the Angelshark was taken this week. A multi-faceted group of divers, scientists and conservation organisations are working together with the Canary Island Government, National Government, and local and international shark experts to identify and address the major threats to Angelshark conservation. Download Press Release: English (pdf) | Spanish (Word Document)
Here Today, Gone Tomorrow?
Leading shark charity calls for Europe to embed a ‘culture of sustainability’ in shark fisheries
March 18, 2016. On Good Friday, millions of Britons will witness the extraordinary sight of scores of sharks feeding off a floating whale carcass in UK waters. In ‘Britain’s Sharks’, the second part of a new prime-time ITV documentary, viewers will see Ben Fogle and Ellie Harrison come face to face with more than a hundred Blue Sharks that call British waters home for part of the year. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Twenty-two Shark and Ray Species Added to Scope of Global Agreement
San Jose, Costa Rica. February 19, 2016. Signatories to the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for Sharks have unanimously agreed to add twenty-two species of sharks and rays to the MoU scope, and to accept the applications of six conservation groups as Cooperating Partners in fulfilling MoU objectives. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2017
Shark Fishing Decisions at Atlantic Tuna Meeting Fall Short
Marrakech, Morocco. November 21, 2017. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to adopt recommended limits to protect shortfin mako sharks from overfishing or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Scientists Report on Mako Shark Overfishing, Advise North Atlantic Ban
London. 11 October 2017. Scientists associated with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) today released their report on the status of Atlantic mako shark populations, revealing serious overfishing and depletion in the North Atlantic.shark finning. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Endangered Devil Ray Landings in Turkey Denounced
London, UK. March 15, 2017. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing in Turkey of 30 Giant Devil Rays in contravention of Mediterranean agreements to protect the Endangered species. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2018
World’s Fastest Shark Headed for Disaster
Dubrovnik, Croatia. November 19, 2018. Fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) have failed to address continued overfishing of mako sharks or strengthen the regional ban on shark finning. Download Press Release (pdf)
Stronger Finning Ban Agreed for Mediterranean Sharks
Rome, Italy. October 26, 2018. In a groundbreaking decision, fishing nations gathered for the annual meeting of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) have adopted an EU proposal to strengthen the regional ban on “finning” (slicing off a shark’s fins and discarding the body at sea). Download Press Release (Word Document)
Targeting Arctic Shark Banned by North Atlantic Fishery Managers
Tallinn, Estonia. September 21, 2018. Fishery managers have taken conservation action for the Greenland shark – the species thought to have the longest lifespan of any vertebrate. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Turkey Takes Sweeping Action to Protect Endangered Sharks & Rays
London, UK. April 20, 2018. A year after denouncing Turkey for the landing of 30 Endangered Giant Devil Rays, the Shark League is applauding the country for announcing protections for this and 13 other species of rays and sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Press Releases 2019
EU and US Prevent Vital Protections for Endangered Mako Sharks
Mallorca, Spain. November 25, 2019. Conservationists are shocked and distressed that the European Union and the United States – despite long promoting science-based shark conservation - were the main obstacles to the adoption of urgently needed protections for mako sharks at the annual meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). Download Press Release (Word Document)
EU Holds the Cards for Endangered Atlantic Sharks
London, November 2019. It’s make or break time for Shortfin Makos as Spain sets to host international fisheries meeting. Conservationists are focused on the European Union ahead of an international gathering of fishing nations that could make or break the future of Endangered mako sharks. Download Press Release (Word Document)
18 Shark & Ray Species Granted New Global Trade Controls at Wildlife Conference
Geneva, Switzerland. August 28, 2019. Conservation groups are praising today’s confirmation that all species of Wedgefishes, Giant Guitarfishes, and Mako Sharks will be added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Download Press Release (Word Document)
Scientists Issue Grim Status Update on Atlantic Mako Sharks, Recommend Full Ban Conservationists put the spotlight on the EU for inaction and hypocrisy
London, UK. 24 June 2019. A new report shows that the overfished North Atlantic Shortfin Mako Shark population is continuing to decline and needs not only immediate protection but several decades to recover. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Full Protection for Angel Sharks in the Canary Islands
Canary Islands, 06 June 2019. The Spanish Ministry of Ecological Transition has announced today that angel shark populations are fully protected in the Canary Islands, through inclusion on the Spanish Endangered Species List. Download Press Release (Word Document) - English | Spanish
Landings of Endangered Rays in Tunisia Denounced
London, UK. 09 April 2019. Conservation groups are calling for answers and action in relation to the landing of Endangered Giant Devil Rays in Kelibia, Tunisia, in contravention of international agreements to protect the species. Download Press Release (Word Document)
Initiative launched to Avert Crisis for Critically Endangered Mediterranean Angel Sharks
Tunis, 29 March 2019. Just five days after the IUCN reconfirmed all three species of Mediterranean angel sharks are Critically Endangered, regional and international experts gathered together in Tunisia. Download Press Release (pdf): English | French | Arabic
Press Releases 2021
Endangered Mako Sharks Get A Break
Conservationists are heralding a hard-fought ban on retention of North Atlantic shortfin mako sharks adopted today by the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT), as a first step toward reversing the decline of the seriously overfished population. For more click here.
Ali Hood wins IFAW’s Marine Conservation Award
Press Releases 2022
The Big Shark Pledge: Shark Trust’s New Campaign Kicks Off with a Call for Support
With the ink still drying on last week’s landmark listing of nearly 100 species of sharks on Appendix II of CITES, the Shark Trust insists that this is not the time for shark conservation to take a break. The UK-based NGO this week launches its biggest-ever concerted campaign to tackle the overfishing of oceanic sharks. They are calling on people across the world to join the call for stricter controls on high seas fisheries.
Shark Trust Announces The ‘Great Shark Snapshot’
As part of their 25th anniversary celebrations, the Shark Trust are launching a brand-new community science initiative aimed at divers and snorkelers. The “Great Shark Snapshot” will take place during the last week of July. Divers from all over the world will be invited to record all the shark, ray and skate species that they see during that week.
Take Part in an Easter Egg Hunt with a Difference with the Shark Trust
Stuck for ideas on what to do over the Easter Holidays? Want to get outside and do something fun to work off all that pent up energy from eating too much chocolate? The Shark Trust has an Easter Egg Hunt with a difference for you to try. Take part in the Great Eggcase Hunt and get involved with a big citizen science project that helps shark, ray and skate conservation. And it’s an enjoyable activity for all the family.
Boating community asked to help with Basking Shark sightings
Basking Sharks have already started to arrive around the British coastline, and the Shark Trust is encouraging the boating community to record any sightings to the Basking Shark Sightings Database. The boating community can provide vital data on the movement of these Endangered sharks. The Shark Trust hopes that more sightings provided by those out on the water will help improve our understanding of these magnificent sharks.
Shark Trust Delighted at Bumper Easter Eggcase Hunt Results
Over the two-week holiday (9th to 24th April 2022) a fantastic 7,560 eggcases were recorded. People joined in all around the UK, from Orkney to the Isle of Wight. With a mixture of organised events and individuals heading to the beach for a day out, the response was amazing. The full report can be found at www.sharktrust.org/geh-how-can-you-help.
Press Releases 2023
UK Tightens Law on International Shark Fin Trade
Shark Fins Act adopted into UK law today
The Shark Trust is celebrating as The Shark Fins Act passes into UK law, effectively reinforcing existing shark finning regulation through the broad application of global best practice.
Calling all citizen scientists: hunt for shark egg cases launches in Australia
The Great Eggcase Hunt, an initiative of UK-based charity The Shark Trust, has launched in Australia in partnership with CSIRO to help provide new data for scientists studying the taxonomy and distribution of oviparous chondrichthyans.
Press Releases 2025
Shark Conservation Advances at International Atlantic Tuna Conference
24th November 2025
Fishing nations agree to protect basking and white sharks, cut mako quotas, and improve compliance process
Shark Photographer of the Year 2025
14th July 2025
Today, on Shark Awareness Day, the Shark Trust have announced the winners of its 2025 Shark Photographer of the Year Competition.
European Aquariums Unite for Oceanic Sharks
The European Union of Aquariums Curators and the Shark Trust team up to secure decisive action for the iconic Oceanic Whitetip Shark!
16th May 2025
