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Dear SRI List:
It's official, proposals have been submitted to amend the Appendices of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) this year by the inclusion of two species of shark in Appendix II (Whale shark and Basking shark). These amendment proposals will be considered at the next meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Santiago, Chile 3-25 November 2002. As many of you know, these two species, along with the White shark, were proposed the last time CITES meet two years ago. All three species failed to get the two-thirds votes needed to pass. SRI is hoping for a more favorable vote this time around. This is the provisional assessment by the Secretariat of CITES: Proposal 35 Rhincodon typus (Whale shark) – Inclusion in Appendix II Proposed by India and the Philippines A proposal to include Rhincodon typus in Appendix II was first presented by the United States of America at CoP11, but was rejected. The present proposal provides important additional information on national fisheries and conservation measures, and on national and international trade. It mentions that downward population trends have occurred in some sites, although the causes of decline are not known. Current fishing effort for this species is unclear. Several range States have adopted a zero catch limit for this species or provide other forms of protection. Most catches are known from coastal waters and conservation measures within national waters are warranted. However, it is not entirely clear from the proposal to what degree international trade threatens this species. As for the proposal submitted at the previous meeting of the Conference of the Parties, the Secretariat is concerned about the complications that acceptance of this proposal would have for the control of trade. The proposal specifies that fresh meat and whole fins from adults are identifiable, but does not indicate whether other parts and derivatives, such as liver oil and cartilage, could be distinguished from that of other shark species. FAO launched a voluntary International Plan of Action-Sharks (IPOA-Sharks) in 1999, within the framework of its Code of Conduct for Responsible Fisheries. Regrettably the implementation of the IPOA-Sharks at the national level has been inadequate. The Secretariat considers that range States should, as a matter of priority, prepare national plans for the conservation and management of this species under the IPOA-Sharks and consider adopting national conservation measures as may be required, as the proponents have done. Other measures to improve participation in the IPOA-Sharks should also be considered (see document CoP12 Doc. 41.1). The Secretariat considers that this species may qualify for inclusion in Appendix II under Annex 2 a, of Resolution Conf. 9.24. However the control of trade in several types of specimens of this species will pose considerable enforcement problems. It remains to be seen whether the products of this species can be readily recognized, especially processed or partially processed products, or products from juveniles or subadults. If the proposal were adopted, it would therefore be important for the proponents to commit to provide identification materials to differentiate parts and derivatives, other than fins or fresh meat, that may enter international trade. Proposal 36 Cetorhinus maximus (Basking shark) – Inclusion in Appendix II Proposed by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on behalf of the Member States of the European Community A proposal to include Cetorhinus maximus in Appendix II was first presented by the proponent at CoP11, but was rejected. The proponent listed this species in Appendix III in September 2000, annotated to apply to whole animals, fins and parts of fins only. Two of the main fishing nations for this species, Norway and Japan, entered reservations on this listing. A CITES Identification Manual sheet to assist in the identification of basking shark fins in trade was distributed to the Parties in 2001. On the basis of what is again a complete and detailed proposal, the Secretariat considers this species to qualify for inclusion in Appendix II under Annex 2 a, of Resolution Conf. 9.24. Furthermore, the Secretariat does not consider a listing in Appendix III to be appropriate for a species that also occurs in waters beyond the jurisdiction of any State, and therefore supports the proposal. However, while the proposal notes that meat, cartilage and oil rarely enter international trade, the control of trade in these specimens could pose considerable enforcement difficulties. It is unclear whether the products of this species can be readily recognized, especially processed or partially processed products, or products from juveniles or subadults. If the proposal were adopted, it would be important to provide identification materials to differentiate parts and derivatives other than fins that may enter international trade. This is encouraging news for the whale shark and basking shark. SRI plans on attending the meetings this November in Chili as an NGO and is prepared to speak on behalf of the sharks. We will keep you all posted on the developments and whether the proposals are successful or not. Your continued support is always appreciated. |