Shortfin mako sharks in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores and in the North Atlantic

Subject: Shortfin mako sharks in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores and in the North Atlantic

According to Greenpeace, a non-domestic fishing vessel has been found 200 miles off the coast of the Azores hauling in sharks listed as ‘endangered’ on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species.

The shortfin mako sharks concerned are the Isurus oxyrinchus and Isurus paucus species. Greenpeace claims that these practices are not exceptional and estimates that around 25 000 mako sharks are caught annually.

Can the Commission therefore say:

(1) What information does it have concerning the situation of the shortfin mako sharks in the North Atlantic and in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores, and in relation to the above- mentioned fishing activities?

(2) What position has it adopted on this issue with the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) and what is its assessment of ICCAT’s recommendations?

Answer given by Mr Vella on behalf of the European Commission

(20 August 2019)

The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) assessed the stock of shortfin mako (I. oxyrinchus or SMA) in 2017. It indicated that the North Atlantic stock is overfished and subject to overfishing. The European Commission is not aware of specific information on the Portuguese exclusive economic zone.

There is no information available regarding longfin mako (I. paucus), other than that this species is vulnerable due to its low productivity. This year, following a new stock assessment of SMA by ICCAT, an updated scientific advice will be delivered and will form the basis of discussions on possible new management measures.

SMA is caught as a bycatch species rather than as a targeted species. ICCAT Recommendation (17-08) on North Atlantic shortfin mako envisages a number of exceptions to the existing retention ban.

The EU tabled a proposal in 2017 to promote the recovery of the Northern Atlantic stock of SMA, which was not accepted by other ICCAT Contracting Parties. It was however possible to adopt interim measures to reduce fishing mortality and to task ICCAT scientists with providing improved stocks projections and alternative management options.

This information is due to be provided later this year. The interim measures implemented by the EU fleets reduced significantly the catches of SMA.

The Commission remains committed to actively promote the adoption of management measures designed to ensure the sustainable exploitation of shark species, including SMA.