Even if the political landscape in Brussels sometimes seems to move at a different pace, we are not giving up and will remain persistent - as promised. To mark the occasion of "Ocean Week" at the European Parliament, 14 members of the StopFinningEU citizens' initiative (including ourselves) set up our "Shark Lab". At seven different stations, visitors (MEPs, parliamentary staff, coordinators, members of the Commission, and representatives from the health, trade, and environment ministries) were able to learn about the problems surrounding shark fishing in Europe. We received energetic support from MEP Manuela Ripa (EVP), who strongly advocates for a ban. Our newly printed study on methylmercury in shark meat was presented to her. Manuela Ripa announced that it is also expected to play an important role in the Committee on the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety. Even representatives from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food attended and sought dialogue, showing surprising openness. An "Europeche spy" was even spotted amongst them - a representative from our outspoken opponent, the fisheries lobby - whom we immediately recognised due to his remarks. In this way, we held numerous discussions and established new contacts, which will hopefully contribute to achieving a European trade ban on shark fins.
Stefanie Brendl (Shark Allies) summed it up perfectly: "I am deeply impressed by the people who have come together for this event. Everyone brought their own deep knowledge and personality, and somehow it worked incredibly well. We made the absolute best of a last-minute event that would normally take months of organisation. Thank you so much to all of you for the massive effort you made to take time off work and travel to Brussels to help, bring fins and amazing visuals, sit on a train for 16 hours to get here, drive a van from the UK, travel from Italy, and spend many hours sitting, listening, and contributing. I am very proud to be a part of this group."
We agree wholeheartedly - a fantastic team of people who love the ocean!
