Call for shark protection at UNOC.

Lisbon / Zurich – July 5, 2022: The United Nations Oceans Conference 2022 (UNOC) took place in Lisbon, Portugal, from June 27 to July 1. SHARKPROJECT, as an internationally active marine and species conservation organization, was also represented on site. Over 5,000 politicians, scientists and NGO representatives from more than 150 countries spent five days in Lisbon discussing the latest research findings, the most pressing problems facing the world’s oceans and possible solutions for the international community.

Together with renowned researchers and representatives of numerous partner NGOs, we have succeeded in drawing the attention of international politicians to the particular importance of shark conservation for all marine ecosystems. The results are impressive: In over 40 places, various documents and presentations accompanying the conference not only address the need for international fisheries management, but also shark conservation.

No more excuses! It’s time for serious marine and shark protection.

In the last 50 years, the global population of sharks and rays has shrunk by over 70 percent. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) (www.iucn.org), more than a third of all sharks and rays are now threatened with extinction. The number of critically endangered species is also constantly increasing. Most deep-sea sharks are now on the brink of extinction due to industrial overfishing. The population of reef sharks is also declining worldwide.

Tina Reiterer, for SHARKPROJECT International at UNOC: “The problems of our oceans and the need for shark and species protection were clearly stated and scientifically proven in Lisbon. There are no more excuses. With strict laws, binding international agreements and technical innovations in the field of fisheries monitoring, humanity would still be able to get to grips with the biggest problems facing our oceans. However, this requires swift joint action.”

Oceans must not be a legal vacuum!

One of the causes of the major problems in the oceans is that international fishing fleets largely operate in a legal vacuum in the high seas. There is still no authority or institution for the practical enforcement of environmental protection regulations. SHARKPROJECT’s experts also believe that there is an urgent need for action here.

In Lisbon, several countries presented encouraging initiatives and successful individual regional projects that deal intensively with the acute problem areas of deep-sea mining, overfishing, illegal fishing, plastic waste and underwater noise. The Pacific island states of Palau and Fiji, for example, opened the conference with a bang and called for a moratorium on deep-sea mining.

However, the official final documents of the conference itself once again contain no binding measures or legal obligations for the international community.

Gabriela Futterknecht from SHARKPROJECT International: “This is extremely disappointing. Nevertheless, it was noticeable in Lisbon that the seriousness of the situation has reached many decision-makers. It is now not 'just' about the oceans, but about the continued existence of humanity.”

“The time to talk is over, now is the time to act!”

Accordingly, we will measure the United Nations and the governments of its member states by their actions and continue to exert pressure for rapid change. SHARKPROJECT’s goal is to restore healthy shark populations around the world and thus contribute to a healthy ecosystem.

Europe must assume international responsibility

SHARKPROJECT therefore urges the governments of the European Union to actively support the proposals for the creation of international law enforcement and jurisdiction for violations of international marine protection regulations, such as those put forward by Cape Verde at the UNOC, as well as the growing calls for a moratorium on deep sea mining.

Query note:
SHARKPROJECT Press Office
The Skills Group, Jürgen H. Gangoly
gangoly@skills.at, +436642000260