3 replies to this topic

[Drew]

The aquarium in the city of Yantai in China has placed 5 whale sharks in their little aquarium for essentially bragging rights to attract tourists. My favorite PR line:

"We have five aquariums across China and we wanted something a bit different for this one to boost the interest of tourists. I cannot say where we got the whale sharks from, or how much they cost, but in China we do not regard them as an endangered species."

Coulda sworn China was signed in with CITES.

Yantai Aquarium has 5 whalesharks, drawing ire from conservationists

[xariatay]

Yes, China is a member of CITES, according to the CITES website... http://www.cites.org...es/alphabet.php

This is a Huge company in China... If you wish to contact them... http://www.haichangg.../en/contact.htm & maybe keep CITES in the loop?? http://www.cites.org.../cp/?country=CN
Read this media release dd 23Sep, they actually know that the life span of whalesharks is 70years! http://www.haichangg...w.asp?keyno=322 But it says 4 whale-sharks, not 5...

[Drew]

Well Naha use to rotate whalesharks from their "farm" off Yomitan, so they would sell that it's the same whalesharks, just sex change and sex differences which never were explained.

A friend kindly corrected me. Rhincodon Typus is only catergory Type II on the CITES list, which means trade is allowed if permits are given. Xaria, most of the reports as of Oct is 5, so I guess they added another one. Maybe they got a deal from the Taiwanese, buy 4 get one free?

[xariatay]

Well Naha use to rotate whalesharks from their "farm" off Yomitan, so they would sell that it's the same whalesharks, just sex change and sex differences which never were explained.

A friend kindly corrected me. Rhincodon Typus is only catergory Type II on the CITES list, which means trade is allowed if permits are given. Xaria, most of the reports as of Oct is 5, so I guess they added another one. Maybe they got a deal from the Taiwanese, buy 4 get one free?

Haha, package deal!

Oh ya, it is in Appendix II... So eating is ok... http://www.cites.org/eng/disc/how.php

Anyway, this consortium has other "entertainment" facility that showcases beluga whales... & it is not the only one in the rich nation...