---
title: "Shark Fins Act 2023"
id: 59f6011c-b0a3-48f3-8d4f-55d1857be1a1
authority: uk
place: "United Kingdom"
applies_also_from: []
kind: statute
in_force: true
publisher_url: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/22
attribution: "Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives."
solon_url: https://solon.orangecat.ch/law/59f6011c-b0a3-48f3-8d4f-55d1857be1a1
language: en
in_force_from: 2023-08-29
date_basis: publisher
status: consolidated
source_url: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2023/22/data.xml
read_on: 2026-11-08
sha256: 5d2ab3b90dc1fbbb5a4143624b910e17429d14725b6f1e16a8965709576761b8
provisions: 3
---

# Shark Fins Act 2023

## Title and introductory text {#prelims}

Shark Fins Act 2023
2023 Chapter 22
An Act to prohibit the import and export of shark fins and to make provision relating to the removal of fins from sharks.
[29th June 2023]
Be it enacted by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

## 2 Removal of shark fins on board fishing vessels {#section-2}

In Council Regulation (EC) No 1185/2003 on the removal of fins of sharks on board vessels, for Article 1 substitute—
Article 1 Scope
This Regulation applies to the removal of shark fins, retention on board, transhipment and landing of shark fins:
1. by United Kingdom fishing vessels in any maritime waters;
2. by other fishing vessels in United Kingdom waters.

## 3 Extent, commencement and short title {#section-3}

(1) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
(2) Section 1 and the Schedule come into force on such day as the Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument appoint.
(3) Section 2 comes into force at the end of the period of two months beginning with the day on which this Act is passed.
(4) This section comes into force on the day on which this Act is passed.
(5) The Secretary of State may by regulations made by statutory instrument make transitional or saving provision in connection with the coming into force of any provision of this Act.
(6) This Act may be cited as the Shark Fins Act 2023.