Conservation Minister Dr Nick Smith and Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy are proposing bringing forward a ban on all shark finning to October 1 this year.
The ban was initially going to be phased in by October 2016, but Dr Smith said it now seems possible to implement this year following consultation.
“This is good news and builds on New Zealand’s strong reputation for sustainability and protecting our natural environment. Sharks are an important part of the marine ecosystem and we need to ensure the 113 species of shark in our waters survive.”
In January this year it was announced that the ban would begin to be rolled out from this October, with more species protected from October 2015, and blue sharks by October 2016.
“Instead of taking this staged approach we are now developing an option to ban shark finning in all fisheries from 1 October 2014. We will be consulting with stakeholders on this proposal from 22 May to 22 June,” Mr Guy said.
He said ending shark finning was “always going to present practical challenges for the fishing industry”, and that it was important that stakeholders had time to adjust.
“I’m very pleased that the industry has risen to that challenge, and worked with MPI, DOC and other stakeholders to look at options for a more rapid implementation of the ban.”
It is already an offence under the Animal Welfare Act to fin a shark and return it to the sea alive. Under the extended ban, it will also become illegal to catch a shark, kill it, remove its fins and dump the carcass at sea.
