Landmark victories to protect two species of giant sharks were won at a U.N. convention Friday, frustrating the shark fin industry and encouraging conservationists
November 18, 2002

The Shark Research Institute helps win worldwide protection for two species of sharks

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species), a United Nations Treaty Organization, convened in Santiago, Chile, November 3 to 15, 2002. It was attended by 1,200 participants that included delegates from 160 member nations, and observers from conservation organizations and special interest groups. A number of landmark agreements resulted, including protection for two species of sharks.

India and the Philippines proposed Appendix II listing of the whale shark, and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland also proposed the basking shark for Appendix II listing. (Appendix II listings do not ban international trade, but instead require member nations to take steps to ensure that trade is not detrimental to wild populations). Both listings, defeated earlier in the week by narrow margins, were brought up in the final hours of plenary and received the required 2/3rd majority for acceptance.

The whale shark is the largest fish in the sea, measuring 40 feet and greater in length and weighing up to 34 tons. The proposal cited the species' biological vulnerability, and the role of continued international trade in whale shark meat, fins, and liver oil. Also cited was the growing importance of whale shark ecotourism to the economies of developing nations and the drastic decline of the world's whale shark population. "Alive, the shark generates economic benefits to countries that have developed whale shark tourism," said Marie Levine, Executive Director of the Shark Research Institute. "Whale shark tourism generates significantly greater revenues than do whale shark fisheries, while producing a continuing revenue stream for the former fishers." "Since 1994, aerial surveys conducted by the Shark Research Institute along the eastern coast of South Africa have documented an 83% decline in whale shark numbers," reported Dr. Alex Antoniou, Field Director of the Institute, "and similar declines have been recorded from our field stations in the Sea of Cortez, Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean."

Parties supporting the whale shark listing included: Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Costa Rica, Demark (on behalf of the Member States of the ERU), Ecuador, Germany, Honduras, India, Madagascar, Mexico, The Philippines, Romania, and observers from IUCN, Shark Research Institute, Swan International, TRAFFIC and WildAid. Opposed were: China, Greenland, Iceland, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and observers from the Singapore Shark Fin and Marine Products, Ltd and the International Wildlife Management Coalition.

The basking shark, another giant plankton-eating shark, is also hunted for its meat and fins. Parties supporting listing of the basking shark included: United Kingdom, Ireland, India, New Zealand, Tunisia and observers from IUCN and the Humane Society International. Opposed were: China, Iceland, Japan, Malaysia, Norway and an observer from the High North Alliance.

"The two listings mark a milestone for marine species," said Craig Manson, US Assistant Secretary of the Interior. CITES has not traditionally played an important role in marine fisheries. Two years ago the United States had proposed Appendix II listing for the whale shark but the proposal failed to win the necessary votes. "Much of the credit for success in achieving CITES listings for sharks and other species was due to the Species Survival Network, a coalition of conservation organizations," said Levine. "The coalition worked as a single unit, pooling data, resources and expertise."

A number of other marine species received CITES protection. The trade in seahorses will now be regulated for the first time. Seahorse populations have declined dramatically in recent years due to commercial trade, by-catch in fisheries, coastal development, destructive fishing practices and pollution. At least 20 million seahorses were taken from the wild in the early 1990s for traditional medicines, aquarium pets, souvenirs and curios. All 32 seahorse species are listed on Appendix II.

Japan's proposals to circumvent the International Whaling Commission and down-list two species of whales, Minke whales and Bryde's whales, from Appendix I to Appendix II were defeated. The meeting also agreed to set a zero quota for commercial trade in the Black Sea population of bottlenose dolphins, which was already listed on Appendix II. These dolphins have declined greatly in recent years due to hunting, pollution and other stresses.

"The key to global wildlife conservation in the 21st century will be to craft solutions that meet the specific requirements of each species and its specific circumstances, said Willem Wijnstekers, Secretary-General of CITES.