Stop Finning EU

Recap 2025 🦈🇪🇺 As we steppeed into 2026, we’ve taken a moment to reflect on what the past year made possible — and we want to say thank you. None of this would have happened without your generous support. 🙏 From Nice to Brussels, we made sure that the 1.1 million voices behind our European Citizens’ Initiative were heard — and that ending the shark fin trade stays firmly on the EU agenda. And we succeeded 🦈💙 Thank you for being part of this powerful movement. Let’s keep pushing together — for sharks, for the ocean, and for real change in 2026. 💪 #StopFinningEU #FinBanNow #FinBanEU #EUFinBan #Recap2025

🌊 2024 Recap 🦈✨ On this first day of 2025, we take a moment to look back at a year full of milestones: from key political progress to global support for shark conservation. 💙 🎥 Watch our recap video and see what we’ve achieved together in 2024. Let’s keep the momentum going and make 2025 pivotal for ending the shark fin trade in Europe once and for all. Thank you for standing with us on this long journey, and let's keep fighting for a #FinBanNow! 💪🦈 #ForTheSharks #StopFinningEU #recap2024 #recap #2024recap #newyear #memories #bestteam #friends #thankful #happynewyear #throwback #bye2024 #sharks #EuropeanUnion

This was 2023 🦈🇪🇺💪 Looking back at this year we delivered our demand to end the shark fin trade in Europe to decision makers of the EU! None of this would have been possible without your help and support over the last years! Thanks to 1.119.996 European Citizens who signed our European Citizen´s Initiative we made the impossible possible: Ending the senseless killing of sharks is finally on the political agenda in Brussels! Let´s hope that 2024 will be the year that long awaited #FinBanNow comes into place and Europe can be a rolemodel for many other countries to follow the urgently needed steps to save sharks! Wishing you all a happy new year! 🍀🥳 #recap2023 #recap #2023recap #newyear #memories #bestteam #friends #thankful #happy #happynewyear #throwback #goodbye2023 #bye2023 #thankyou #StopFinningEU #FinBanNow #sharks #EuropeanUnion

🚨 1.1 Million EU Citizens left waiting 🚨 More than 1.1 million Europeans voted for a shark fin trade ban. And yet — the European Commission is not answering. This is not just a delay. This is a failure of democracy. Over 100 million sharks are killed every year —while the European Commission fails to meet its own commitments and timelines in tackling the shark fin trade. ⚠️ We are done with empty promises. That’s why we’ve taken action: We have filed a formal complaint with the European Ombudsman against the European Commission for maladministration in handling our initiative STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE. 📣 Help us make our voices impossible to ignore: SHARE this post & TAG decision-makers! Link in Bio or 🔗 linktr.ee/StopFinningEU For sharks. For justice. For ending the shark fin trade. 🦈💙 #EUAccountability #DemocracyInAction #HoldTheEUAccountable

ECI Day Recap 2026 🇪🇺🦈 During the European Ocean Days in Brussels, #ECIDay celebrated the European Citizens’ Initiative as a powerful democratic tool designed to amplify citizens’ voices. The focus? Making ECIs more impactful. But here is the uncomfortable truth: 👉 Out of 128 registered ECIs, only 14 managed to collect the required 1 million signatures. 👉 And even more concerning: Not a single one has been fully implemented so far! Democracy cannot stop at collecting signatures. Our successful ECI STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE cannot become just another number in that statistic. We are working with experts on the ground to break this cycle — and will do everything we can to turn YOUR SUPPORT into a shark fin trade ban in Europe. 🦈 Please help us to keep the pressure on. 💙 Donate. Link in Bio. Because sharks deserve action — not just promises. #EESCforECI #EUTakeTheInitiative #directdemocracy #EuropeanUnion

Sometimes you pause, and you realize how far sharks, and all of us, have come. Looking back, it’s almost hard to believe everything that has happened over the past 6 years.
And 2025 was truly a milestone year for sharks! Speaking up for sharks at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Nice was a powerful moment. Standing alongside @stopfinningeu and so many committed people, reminded us how collective voices can shape change. We met with key decision-makers from the European Commission for Fisheries and Oceans to deliver a clear message: ↪️ The voices of 1.1 million EU citizens who voted for a #FinBanNow are still being heard.
And the demand to end the shark fin trade remains on the EU political agenda. Yes, change takes time but every step matters. 
 In October, the team was back in Brussels, re-establishing our presence on the ground and continuing meetings with EU institutions to keep the momentum strong. The goal remains unchanged:
↪️ A complete ban on the shark fin trade in Europe. Special thanks to @elasmoceanorg for grounding our advocacy in reality with real shark fins, powerful reminders of what’s at stake. 
To support our campaign, in 2023, we went on an expedition to meet the most fished shark in the world in Spain, reconnecting policy, science, and lived experience. Poke to the crew @lejeuneengage , @arthur_auboeuf @camilleetienne_ @adelaidecha @littlegypsea A first short film came out from this expedition “COEXISTENCE” and to start 2026 with hope, it has just been nominated in a Spanish film festival, our very first selection in this country, being the major player in the shark fin trade in Europe, sending a strong signal that this needs to end! Deep gratitude for this incredible team, and for everyone who supported, shared, and showed up 🤍 📸 by @martinatrepczyk @juliaochsphoto @frans_derib @stopfinningeu

Today is #GivingTuesday 💙🦈 And we want to take a moment to say THANK YOU!! Your support has kept this movement alive — through years of advocacy, countless meetings in Brussels, and every step toward a shark fin trade ban in Europe. But our work is not over. To stay active at EU level in this decisive phase, we rely entirely on your generosity. 💙 Your donation today helps us to cover: • travel and accommodation in Brussels • participation in key political events • meetings with EU decision-makers Every euro makes a difference — truly. Please consider donating this Giving Tuesday. 🔗 Link in Bio. 🦈 Thank you for standing with us — and with the sharks. #StopFinningEU #FinBanEU

"Why does it take so long? 🦈 " One of the questions we get asked most about STOP FINNING – STOP THE TRADE. Yes — the 1.1 million votes for a shark fin trade ban & our European Citizens Initiative (ECI) were collected long ago. Changing EU law is a marathon, not a sprint, as our our EU representative Stefanie Brendl explains. To secure a #FinBanNow, we must stay active at EU constantly — meeting decision-makers, attending negotiations, and amplifying our demand until real change for sharks happens. 🗳️✨ We’re incredibly grateful to have you with us on this long journey. 🙏 Your donations are the only reason we can keep fighting. 💙 Help us again to give sharks a voice in Brussels. Your donation counts. Link in Bio. Thank you! #StopFinningEU FinBanNow FinBanEU EUFinBan democracy ECI SaveSharks SharkConservation OceanProtection MarineConservation EUParliament Brussels ForTheOceans ProtectWhatProtectsUs

Looking back at an impactful #EUOceanWeek! We hosted our own Shark Lab event in the European Parliament – a key moment for sharks! 🦈🇪🇺 Together with our valued partners and the generous support of Manuela Ripa we brought together Members of Parliament, Commission officials, and ministry representatives from various departments and informed broadly about the need for a shark fin trade ban. Now, it´s finally here. The final sprint for StopFinningEU at EU level – making sure the 1.1 million voices for sharks are heard. Until real change happens. Your support makes moments like this possible. Every donation helps us stay on the ground, meet decision-makers, cover travel and accommodation and most importantly fight for sharks who cannot speak for themselves. Thank you! ➡️ Donate now to keep our shark advocacy strong. Link in Bio. #StopFinningEU #FinBanNow #FinBanEU #EUFinBan #SaveSharks #SharkConservation #OceanProtection #MarineConservation #EUParliament #Brussels #ForTheOceans #ProtectWhatProtectsUs

🦈💙 We’re back in Brussels — thanks to YOU! October has been an exciting month for our team so far: After months of preparation and your incredible support through our fundraiser, we were able to reestablish our professional representation on the ground in Brussels. Moreover, our team could travel to #EUOceanWeek to make most of this meaningful focus week.🇪🇺 Your donations made this possible — they help us advocate for sharks where it matters most: at the political heart of Europe. We’re meeting Members of Parliament and the Commission, connecting with EU officials, and keeping the pressure high to achieve what 1.1 million EU citizens have already called for: 👉 A complete ban on the shark fin trade in Europe. This is the next chapter in our #FinBanNow journey — and it’s only happening because you are standing with us. 💙 Thank you for giving sharks a strong voice in Brussels. Together, we’re one step closer to saveguard the oceans! 🌊 #StopFinningEU #FinBanNow #FinBanEU #EUFinBan #SaveSharks #SharkConservation #OceanProtection #MarineConservation #EUParliament #Brussels #ForTheOceans #ProtectWhatProtectsUs

⚠️What's hidden on your plate could damage your brain! *German version below* Our latest study, conducted in collaboration with @elasmoceanorg and the @gallifreyfoundation , has revealed some alarming results: Of the 51 shark meat samples purchased across Europe, nearly one-third (32%) contained high to alarming levels of methylmercury — some up to four times above EU and Swiss safety limits. ☣️ Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin known to cause brain and nerve damage, particularly in unborn children. Despite this, shark meat is still sold under misleading names such as 'huss' or 'schillerlocke', leaving consumers unaware of the danger. 📢 We therefore urge: stricter regulation and bans on shark products to protect both public health and the ocean. Illustrations: @meerkunstimkopf Photo: Robert Marc Lehmann *********** Unsere neueste Studie, die in Zusammenarbeit mit elasmOcean und der Gallifrey Foundation durchgeführt wurde, hat einige alarmierende Ergebnisse zutage gefördert: Von den 51 in ganz Europa gekauften Haifleischproben enthielten fast ein Drittel (32 %) hohe bis alarmierende Mengen an Methylquecksilber – einige davon bis zu viermal über den Sicherheitsgrenzwerten der EU und der Schweiz. ☣️ Methylquecksilber ist ein starkes Nervengift, das nachweislich Hirn- und Nervenschäden verursacht, insbesondere bei ungeborenen Kindern. ⚠️ Trotzdem wird Haifleisch weiterhin unter irreführenden Bezeichnungen wie „Huss“ oder „Schillerlocke“ verkauft, sodass die Verbraucher sich der Gefahr nicht bewusst sind. 📢 Wir fordern daher: strengere Kobtrollen und Verbote für Haiprodukte, um sowohl die öffentliche Gesundheit als auch die Meere zu schützen. Illustrationen: @meerkunstimkopf Bild: Robert Marc Lehmann #StopFinning #ElasmOcean #GallifreyFoundation #SharkConservation #ToxicSeafood #PublicHealth #BanSharkProducts #OceanProtection

🦈🇺🇳 We did it. We brought the voice of sharks to the United Nations. Last month, at the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in Nice, we stood on stage carrying 1.1 million hopes, signatures, and dreams, all united by one purpose: to end the shark fin trade in Europe. A moment we never imagined when this all began. When we launched the “Stop Finning Stop the Trade” campaign, 7 years ago already - just thinking about it is crazy! - we didn’t know how far it would go. But the Ocean has its own rhythm, one of patience, power, and collective strength. The Ocean teaches us that waves rise, together. And together, we created a wave that reached the global stage. During UNOC3 in Nice, at our official side event, “Direct Democracy for Marine Conservation”, we shared a truth the world needed to hear: When citizens rise, change becomes inevitable. 🗳️ 1.1 million voices became one clear message: It’s time to end the shark fin trade in Europe. This is more than policy. It’s a movement to restore harmony in the Ocean, to protect sharks not as threats, but as guardians of balance. Without them, the sea loses its rhythm. Its breath. Its soul. Without them, the Ocean falls silent. Entire ecosystems collapse. The ban is still under political process, with the EU Commission working on the impact assessment. The result is expected by the end of 2025. And so we keep swimming. Always believing in the power of community to protect what we love. If you want to support this campaign, share, donate, raise your voice. Every donation helps our advocacy work. #FinBanNow Thanks to our partner @elasmoceanorg for providing these real fins ceased in Frankfort’s airport in 2018. 📸 4, 6, 7 & 8 by Martina Trepczyk @martinatrepczyk