European Shark Week 2011

European Shark Week, from the 15th to 23rd October 2011, proved to be one of the most successful shark weeks to date. We had more aquariums, groups, and individuals taking part than ever before and we welcomed two new countries, Lithuania and Slovakia, to the ever increasing list of countries hosting events.              Two years ago, after sustained pressure from the Shark Alliance, EU Fisheries Ministers endorsed a sound plan of action for shark conservation, but there is still unfinished business: the EU finning ban has huge loopholes, many endangered shark species remain completely unprotected, and there are no limits on the main shark species targeted by EU boats.     There are key opportunities in the coming months to deliver on the commitments of the EU Shark Action Plan so we continue to urge fisheries ministers to deliver proper protection for sharks from finning and overexploitation. Thank you for Making the Push!      During European Shark Week over 150 events took place in 19 countries. Across Europe, Shark Alliance member groups and supporters hosted shark classes, colouring competitions and swim-a-thons for children, shark dives, demonstrations and lectures. Many more of our supporters spread the message on facebook, twitter and blogs, all to encourage as many people as possible to learn about shark conservation and help Make the Push to protect Europe’s sharks by signing the petition or recording a personal message. We’ve now collected and counted all the petitions from this year’s European Shark Week and in total we’ve received at least 165,000 signatures from all 27 EU member states. In addition, we have received hundreds of photos and many short videos of people taking part in shark week activities and asking their minister to Make the Push. You can see a selection of them in our slideshow (right), and you can see the full gallery on the Make the Push Flickr page.      Many thanks to everyone who got involved in making this year’s European Shark Week such a success. We’re not finished yet. We’re now arranging dates to handover the signatures and a selection of photos and videos to all EU fisheries ministers and will be posting updates so please check back soon!                Read about the handover of signatures to UK Fisheries Minister Richard Benyon - 15 Mar 2012                    We are very grateful to the Save our Seas Foundation who are again supporting European Shark Week.   See what we have been up to recently: New studies about the problems with shark fin to carcass ratio limits - 15 Mar 2012  Dr Shelley Clarke talks to the Shark Alliance about her research on the fin trade - 05 Mar 2012 Shark Alliance representatives were on as the European Parliament Fisheries Committee considered and debated for the first time the European Commission’s proposal to close major loopholes in the EU ban on shark finning - 01 Mar 2012 Shark Alliance joins Italian MEP in urging European Parliament to support closing the loopholes in EU ban on shark finning - 29 Feb 2012 Links Learn more about the petition Find us on Facebook Add your pictures and videos to our Flickr group Give sharks worldwide a fighting chance by also supporting Project Awares petition to CITES parties. 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | Gallery