Victories for Sharks and Rays
"CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival." —from cites.org
Protections in the form of Appendix I and Appendix II amendments require a two-thirds majority vote of the 183 parties (members) of CITES. We are thrilled to announce that today in Geneva, Switzerland, the world approved Appendix II protections for mako sharks (long and shortfin), guitarfish (blackchin, sharpnose and giant) and wedgefish (the family of). And approved these protections by more than the required two-thirds majority.
This does not mean that these animals can not be hunted and killed for trade. But it does mean that trade will now be regulated and monitored where, until this point, it was not. This is a strong step forward for in the conservation of these endangered species.
With you, our members, the Shark Research Institute will never give up the fight for the understanding and protection of sharks.