With the entry into force of a regulation from the Ministry of the Environment, the end of “questionable cosmetics, sexual enhancers, shark fin soup and shark steaks” in this country has been sealed. Project leader Gabriela Futterknecht hopes “that other European countries will take this as an example.” “Sharks can only be protected from extinction through international measures,” warned Futterknecht. “In addition to fishing restrictions, trade restrictions in inland countries are also an important step towards this.” More than three quarters of all shark species are “acutely endangered and threatened with extinction” due to overfishing and hunting. In the past 50 years, the global population has declined by more than 70 percent.
In Austria, too, “shark products such as Schillerlocke, shark steaks and shark fin soup are still widespread in the food trade and in the catering trade. Austria even ranks fifth in Europe when it comes to importing shark meat,” reported the conservationists. In 2022 they turned to the parliamentary parties. This was followed in December by a motion for a resolution submitted by MPs from all parties, which has now resulted in the Species Trade Supplementary Ordinance (Federal Law Gazette II No. 107/2024) with trade and import restrictions.
Not only the import and processing of shark meat, but also the import of shark bites and similar “souvenirs” is now punishable. Violations can be punished with fines of up to 40,000 euros and prison sentences of up to two years.
The species explicitly mentioned in the regulation include requiem sharks, including reef, blue and bull sharks. The mako shark is now also particularly protected. Likewise, no products from whale sharks or great white sharks may be imported or processed. Exceptions in special cases require individual official import permits.
