The 19th Conference of the Parties (CoP19) convened under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has achieved a significant milestone in shark conservation. During this assembly in Panama City, participating governments cast favorable votes for the inclusion of 54 shark species from the requiem family and hammerhead sharks into CITES Appendix II.
"The International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) applauds governments for this groundbreaking decision to control the unsustainable global trade in shark fins and meat, a trade which has pushed some of these ecologically important predators to the brink of extinction,” said Barbara Slee, IFAW’s Senior Program Manager of International Policy.
“This vote can transform shark conservation, giving much needed protection for species that have long been overlooked,” added Slee. “Panama and its partner governments have offered a clear pathway for the survival of these species. IFAW has long advocated for such action and looks forward to working with governments to improve the management of shark fisheries that will result from this change.”
This expansion also encompassed a diminutive hammerhead species known as the bonnethead and five shark species with similar appearances. Requiem sharks are family that encompasses migratory and viviparous species which are highly coveted for their fins. The requiem shark listing included 19 Critically Endangered or Endangered species and a further 35 species for lookalike reasons and was passed by 88 votes in support, with 29 against and 17 abstentions. CoP19 is scheduled to run until Friday (25th of November) and all listing proposals must be endorsed by the plenary session of the CoP on the final two days. Further shark and ray listing proposals are to be voted on shortly.
Currently, approximately 70% of these sharks face the looming threat of extinction.
CITES Appendix II affords enhanced international protection to listed species, serving as a safeguard against potential extinction threats resulting from unregulated trade. Luke Warwick, Director of Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Shark and Ray Conservation, hailed these developments as transformative for ocean predator management and the global preservation of sharks and rays.
Source: CITES CoP19. "CoP19 Shark Proposals". https://citessharks.org/cop19proposals. 25/11/22. [Date accessed: 26/11/22]
Edited by: Aditya Vinjimoor
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