4 replies to this topic

[adamhanlon]

Hi all,

 

The United Nations Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meets every 3 years, and 177 member nations vote on whether to grant international protection to certain highly threatened and endangered species. For the first time, two manta and seven species of shark are on the agenda for potential listing.

 

The meeting is being held from 3 March (Sunday) to 14 March in Bangkok, Thailand. It goes without saying that anything that you can do to put pressure on the delegates to add the sharks and rays to the endangered list is now needed.

 

PEW is publishing a series of audio podcasts about CITES and how important this meeting is for their survival. You can listen to them here.

 

There are a large number of conservation organizations seeking your support. May I suggest that any you come across, you share below so that the Wetpixel community can mobilize?

 

Here are some for starters:

 

Shark Defenders: http://www.sharkdefe...rk-stanley.html

Protect Manta Rays: http://www.avaaz.org...tect_Manta_Rays

Project AWARE: http://www.projectaw...ur-sights-cites

 

Adam

 

 

 

 

 

 

[adamhanlon]

The news from CITES today has been very positive. Oceanic white tip, 3 species of hammerhead, porbeagle sharks and both species of manta are probably going to be listed in Appendix II. Full details are on the front page: http://wetpixel.com/...o-shark-species The decision can still be overturned in the committee's Plenary session, so the results are not yet final. Nevertheless, a good day for sharks and mantas:) Adam.

[adamhanlon]

Yesterday's votes at CITES were a tremendous success for shark and marine conservation. However, this progress could be undone in the plenary session where the powerful pro-finning group will no doubt be lobbying to overturn the earlier vote.

Please use the links below to email your representative at CITES and ask him or her to stand by the previous result. 

South Africa spoke against the listing of oceanic white tips, and Mozambique against the listing of hammerheads. Please let your representatives know just how you feel about this!

http://www.sharkdefe...-your-vote.html

[adamhanlon]

Hi again all,

 

Georgienne Bradley of Sea Savers has just posted this bit of video showing Japanese delegates entertaining a group from the African nations this evening in Bangkok.

 

If the shark additions to Appendix II is overturned tomorrow, I think we will now know why.

 

 

Adam

[adamhanlon]

It all worked out in the end.

 

All the proposals made it through the Plenary. It was a very close thing however.

 

As of now, oceanic whitetip (Carcharhinus longimanus), smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran), scalloped hammerhead (Sphyrna lewini) porbeagle sharks (Lamna nasus) and both species of manta ray have been added to Appendix II of CITES. Appendix II lists species which are not necessarily now threatened with extinction but which may become so unless trade is closely controlled.

 

This is a cause for celebration!

 

To all those NGOs and individuals who worked so hard to achieve this result, we salute you for truly making a difference!

 

Adam