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CITES Proposals Aim To Stop Shark Extinction Spiral
The world is facing a shark extinction spiral, with over 70% of species commonly involved in international trade at risk of disappearing forever. In response, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has proposed urgent protections for some of the most threatened marine animals.
On June 30, governments around the world formally submitted proposals to list numerous shark and ray species under Appendix I, which effectively bans commercial international trade. This move comes after years of warnings from scientists that unsustainable fishing practices and human pollution are pushing these species to the brink.
The proposed listings aim to stop the extinction spiral by shifting focus from commercial trade to in-situ conservation efforts. By listing them on Appendix I, CITES would provide the highest level of international protection for these endangered animals, ensuring their survival.
Notably, two additional proposals seek to regulate international trade under Appendix II to ensure it is sustainable and does not harm wild populations. One proposal targets gulper sharks, a deepwater species being fished for their liver oil used in high-end cosmetics, while the other focuses on smoothound sharks, small coastal species sought after for their meat.
Regulation under Appendix II would require documentation proving that international trade is legal and non-harmful to wild populations. This move reflects the understanding that certain shark species’ slow reproduction rates and long lifespans make them highly susceptible to overexploitation.
Conservationists hope that this development marks a turning point in marine conservation efforts, as they recognize the unsustainable nature of current fishing practices.
Source: www.forbes.com
