According to an Oceana press release, the European Union (EU) adopted a strict ban on shark finning, which became effective on July 6, 2013. Existing shark EU shark finning regulations banned the finning of sharks. However, loopholes in the existing regulations allowed exemptions which made enforcement of the ban difficult.

The amended shark fin ban closes the previously existing loopholes and requires all sharks landed in EU ports and by EU vessels worldwide to have their fins naturally attached.

For more information, check out the Oceana press release and the full-text of the amended EU regulation