Campaigners are demanding the UK government bans exports of shark fins, claiming more than 50 tonnes of shark fins have been traded from Britain in the past two years.

Greenpeace UK said hundreds of thousands of pounds of shark fins have been exported since 2017, fuelling global demand for shark fin soup.

Investigative reporters for the organisation say most of the sharks in European and UK waters were being caught by Spanish vessels.

They claim the sharks are landed in the UK and the fins are sent on to Spain, one of the world's biggest shark fin exporters.

Citing HMRC records, Greenpeace said since 2017, more than £300,000 worth of shark fins have been sent to Spain.


Image: Basking sharks are among some of the types of shark that can be found in British waters

Will McCallum, head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: "Many people will be gobsmacked to hear that Britain is fuelling a controversial global trade threatening a majestic predator that's vital to life in our oceans.

"With tens of millions of sharks being killed every year, the UK Government should do all it can to protect these creatures, starting with a ban on shark fin exports.

"We are campaigning for limits on shark fishing and also at the UN for a strong Global Ocean Treaty which will help shark populations recover from decades of overfishing and provide greater protection for marine life in our seas."

A Defra spokeswoman said: "The UK has a strong track record in marine conservation and we led the charge to ban shark finning across the European Union and pressing for stronger international action.

"While we're a member of the EU it is not possible to introduce additional restrictions on shark fin trade, but leaving the EU will give us an opportunity to consider further controls."