THE European Commission is set to clamp down on the controversial practice of shark finning and to take urgent steps to protect threatened shark populations in response to pressure from a Bolton Euro MP.

James Currie, Director-General of the Commission's environment section, has written to Chris Davies MEP stating that consultations have already started with a view to taking swift action.

Mr Davies highlighted the issue in June, presenting Environment Commissioner Margot Wallstrm with a 30,000-signature petition calling for a ban on shark finning in EU waters.

The petition, compiled by conservation groups the Shark Trust and Wild Aid, also demanded EU action on shark preservation.

Shark finning consists of hacking off sharks fins and tails before throwing them back in the water where they either bleed to death or sink to the bottom of the sea and drown.

The fins often end up in shark fin soup, a delicacy in many parts of the world.