Prime Minister Zapatero

Palacio de la moncloa Avenida

de Puerta de Hierro,
Complejo de la Moncloa
Madrid, 28071
Spain

Dear Prime Minister Zapatero:

I am writing to express my serious concern over Spain’s problematic stance on the EU ban on
finning – cutting off a shark’s fins and discarding its body at sea. I am appalled that Spain has
attempted to block and stall amendments that are essential for closing loopholes in the ban and
ensuring an end to this wasteful practice.

As Europe’s top shark fishing nation, Spain has a responsibility to advance rather than hinder
shark conservation. Indeed, the sustainability of Spanish shark fisheries depends on such
stewardship.

Many EU Member States have called for the swift strengthening of the EU finning ban and
Spain has endorsed the EU Shark Action Plan that sets a path for these improvements. I urge
you to ensure that the Spanish government ceases efforts to impede progress with these urgent
revisions and instead actively promotes these and other initiatives to responsibly limit the fishing
and trade of our vulnerable sharks.

Thank you for considering my views.

Sincerely,

Please do not sign here, if you have already signed our petition online.
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Please return your completed copies to:

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