News

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded today’s approval of the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act (S. 2764) by the Senate Commerce Committee. The bicameral legislation, which Rubio introduced in April, recognizes the sustainable and economically-valuable fishing practices of U.S. shark fishermen and promotes U.S. standards for shark conservation and humane harvest. The bill’s next stop would be the Senate floor.
 
“I commend the Senate Commerce Committee for passing the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act today. This action represents an important step forward to promote sustainable shark conservation practices around the world.  Sharks play an important role in maintaining the health of the ocean ecosystems for which Florida is celebrated for,” said Rubio. “Currently, sharks are sustainably and humanely harvested in federal waters per U.S. law, providing continued economic benefits to coastal communities via fishing, trade, and tourism. This bill will help promote those same standards for sustainable and humane shark harvesting among our international trade partners as well. This bill protects international shark populations as well as the fishermen in Florida and throughout the U.S. who continue to abide by the rules.”
 
Specifically the Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act would:

• Create a shark conservation and trade fairness certification for nations wishing to import shark products to the U.S.;
• Prohibit the importation of shark products originating from any nation without a certification, and the possession of such products in the U.S. with limited exceptions for law enforcement, subsistence harvest, education, conservation, or scientific research;
• Update the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act to reflect the U.S. commitment to promote international agreements that encourage the adoption of shark conservation and management measures and measures to prevent shark finning that are consistent with the International Plan of Action for Conservation and Management of Sharks;
• Direct the Secretary of Commerce to include rays and skates into the seafood traceability program to ensure that shark products are not smuggled into the U.S. falsely labeled as rays and skates, two closely related groups.