§ Ms WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what plans he has to include basking sharks on the list of endangered species; and if he will make a statement. [37038]
§ Mr. ClappisonThe basking shark has been considered for protection under the Wildlife Countryside Act 1981 on two previous occasions but there was insufficient evidence to support protection.
The Joint Nature Conservation Committee, the Government's statutory conservation adviser, is currently considering which species should be recommended for protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act as part of the third quinquennial review. The case for the basking shark is being reviewed, but it is too early to say whether the evidence will result in the species being protected.