Kategorie: News
Success for shark protection at World Species Conference
A breakthrough in the protection of sharks has been achieved at the World Conference on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Panama. Fisheries nations, however, had opposed it. After a long tug-of-war, 60 shark species were placed under international protection for the first time yesterday. Environmental organisations spoke of a milestone.
Canada, Japan and Peru wanted to limit the protection of sharks to only a few species - but an alliance around the EU and Panama prevailed. A "historic decision", according to environmentalists. After hours of discussion, 60 shark species were placed under international protection for the first time. Environmental organisations like Sharkproject or WWF spoke of an important success for the protection of these marine animals.
The decision still has to be confirmed in the plenary session of the conference next week. The 184 signatory states to the Cites Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora have been meeting in Panama since Monday. The aim of the convention is to limit international trade in wild animals and plants in such a way as to ensure the survival of endangered species. Trade is then strictly regulated or banned.
60 shark species under international protection
Sharks are hunted and traded internationally for their fins and meat. Several species are highly endangered or already threatened with extinction.
The debate has been particularly heated around requiem sharks (ground sharks), including the commercially important blue shark. "If we don't act now, we will lose all of these iconic species and apex predators in the coming decades," Panama's representative said when presenting the proposal. In future, 54 requiem sharks and six other hammerhead shark species will only be allowed to be traded sustainably. Until now, few shark species were protected under Cites.
After two attempts by some countries to reduce the number of species to be protected by voting, the proposal by Panama, the European Union (EU) and a dozen other countries clearly prevailed. "Especially against the listing of the blue shark, fishing nations like Japan, Canada, Indonesia or Peru fought here until the last minute," said Sandra Altherr, who is attending the conference for Pro Wildlife. The decision still has to be confirmed in the plenary of the conference next week.
"Sharks are indispensable key species"
The environmental foundation WWF spoke of a "goosebump moment" for species conservationists. "This is a historic decision for the health of the oceans. Because sharks are indispensable key species," said WWF's German expert Heike Zidowitz. Until the final vote, however, it is important that the Parties do not change their minds.
Another proposal for the protection of violin rays will also be discussed. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), if this proposal were also adopted, almost all shark species and similar fish whose fins are traded internationally would be under the control of CITES. Currently, about 25 per cent are. The conservation status of 600 wild species is being decided in Panama. On Thursday, the protection of 120 tree species was also improved.