Stop Finning EU is a European citizens' initiative. Its aim is to ban the trade in shark fins in Europe, which will have a global impact.
ElasmOcean supports the citizens' initiative as a Supporter. We spoke with the German representative for the citizens' initiative, Nils Kluger from Munich.
Langenfeld/Munich, February 2021
ElasmOcean: What actually is an EU citizens' initiative? Is it something like a petition that is ultimately printed out and handed to a politician in front of an administration building? One often gets the impression that this stack of paper has no effect and actually only serves to make the signatories feel good. Is that the case here as well?
Nils Kluger: A European citizens' initiative is the only way for EU citizens to exert direct influence on political decisions in the EU. Only through the European citizens' initiative can the European Commission be requested to propose new legislation. And in contrast to a petition, in the event of a successful European citizens' initiative—meaning if it gathers more than one million signatures—the Commission is legally obliged to hear the organisers and to decide on follow-up actions.
ElasmOcean: It is about finning—meaning the cutting off of shark fins on the high seas to discard the dying fish back into the ocean, and thereafter only trading the fins. This is already prohibited in the European Union.
The initiative is addressed to the European Union. What is the objective? What specifically is being demanded? Has the EU not already done everything in its power?
Kluger: No! For several reasons: Firstly, the trade in shark fins from Europe continues to flourish, even without finning. Viewed collectively, EU countries remain leaders in shark catches globally. And sharks are unlikely to care whether they die on the high seas or on board a vessel. The cruelty lies in the fact that these animals must die for a tiny fraction of their body.
Secondly, protected species are repeatedly found among fin shipments. However, the fins of different species are difficult to distinguish in a shipment. As long as the trade in shark fins is permitted, effective conservation for threatened species cannot succeed.
And thirdly, as long as fins may be traded, loopholes for finning will continue to exist. Once the fin is separated from the body, its origin can no longer be traced. It is therefore our duty to end the senseless death of sharks, which are so vital to marine ecosystems, by ending the shark fin trade in the EU.
Getting involved is simple
ElasmOcean: So this initiative can really make a difference. What needs to happen for this, within what timeframe, and by whom? Where and how does one sign?
Kluger: We have until 31.01.2022 to collect one million signatures from EU citizens. This is our unique opportunity to achieve real change in EU legislation!
Voting is simple and takes only two minutes! You simply go to https://www.stop-finning.eu and click on "Vote now". You will then be redirected to the official website of the European Commission. There you enter your country, name, address, and date of birth. Done!
The data, by the way, remains with the authorities and is only used to certify the signatures. And of course: spread the word and tell others!
ElasmOcean: Then we should all use the coming months to raise awareness. Is that actually feasible in times of Corona? Generally, has the Sars-CoV-2 virus affected the initiative?
Kluger: Unfortunately, yes. We started in February 2020 with a high volume of signatures but soon had to realise that with the pandemic, everything was suddenly different. All European societies were in a state of shock, to a greater or lesser extent. Completely understandable, as many people were and still are threatened by the pandemic—economically, health-wise, and also in the drastic way the pandemic has altered daily life. It is understandable that fewer people had the peace of mind to sign a citizens' initiative. But we keep going: despite all the difficulties, we must seize this unique opportunity to ensure that sharks in Europe are no longer hunted for their fins.
ElasmOcean: This is a major undertaking that also demands a lot of time. Who is actually behind Stop Finning EU? What motivated you to invest so many months of your spare time into this initiative?
Kluger: I have long been involved in the protection of marine ecosystems and work as a volunteer. Therefore, the idea of achieving real progress with a European citizens' initiative was highly motivating. And in the meantime, another factor has emerged: we have gained supporters across Europe. Over 70 environmental organisations, as well as companies and diving associations, support our cause. Teams have formed in many EU countries, and we are working with more than 150 volunteers. Sharks deserve to no longer be hunted for their fins—and this great team deserves to conclude a successful citizens' initiative with one million signatures on 31 January 2022. That motivates me a-new every day.
ElasmOcean: If you could ask for one thing from us and our readers, what would it be?
Kluger: First of all, of course: sign on https://www.stop-finning.eu.
And after that: spread the word and help collect signatures. Share posts on social media, or gather signatures on paper. You can also find the forms to print out on the website.
And for anyone who wants to get even more involved: contact us, we can use helping hands.
ElasmOcean: Nils Kluger, thank you for this conversation. We will keep following the initiative, which ElasmOcean also officially supports.
Vote here: https://www.stop-finning.eu
Dr. Nils Kluger
Dr. Nils Kluger is a shark conservationist and diving instructor. He has dived with sharks all over the world, witnessing both their beauty and importance to the marine ecosystem, as well as the threat to their existence from human activity. He is driven by the concern that our existence depends on functioning marine ecosystems. Without sharks, these ecosystems are seriously threatened. This is why Nils campaigns for an end to the trade in shark fins.
The interview was conducted by Heiner Endemann
