PRESS RELEASE

“The new marine species listings at CITES CoP16 and CoP17 represented a dramatic and positive shift in the use of CITES as a pragmatic and effective instrument in preventing the over-exploitation of commercially taken marine species,” said CITES Secretary General John E. Scanlon. “We are now delighted to see CITES and key fisheries organizations and the world’s leading fisheries experts working together to ensure the effective implementation of CITES on the frontline for these listed species, especially the sharks and rays.”

 

ICCAT, IOTC, IAATC, SEAFDEC and WECAFC (see footnote) all play an important role in the sustainable management of shark and ray species in their geographical areas of competence.

 

The workshop built on a range of partnerships and activities established in the course of a three year project (2013-2016), financed by the European Union, to assist developing countries in implementing the Convention for five species of sharks (Sphyrna spp., Carcharhinus longimanus, Lamna nasus) and all Manta rays (Manta spp.), which were listed in CITES Appendix II in 2013.

 

The project “Strengthening capacity in developing countries for sustainable wildlife management and enhanced implementation of CITES wildlife trade regulations, with particular focus on commercially-exploited aquatic species” followed a two-phase approach, starting with an in-depth capacity assessment for countries most heavily involved in the fishing of and trade in sharks. Based on this assessment, a set of activities were implemented in close collaboration with FAO and RFMOs, to assist CITES Parties in making sure that international trade in the newly listed sharks and rays is conducted in full compliance with CITES,  and the  trade is legal, sustainable and traceable. 

 

 

Drawing on these experiences, the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP17, Johannesburg, 2016) adopted a large number of decisions relating to the management of and trade in sharks and rays (Decisions 17.209 - 17.216). Also at CoP17, Parties decided to include four additional species of sharks (Alopias spp. and Carcharhinus falciformis) and nine species of rays (Mobula spp.) in Appendix II, with entry into force delayed until 4 October 2017 and 4 April 2017 respectively.

 

The workshop provided a wonderful opportunity for the CITES Secretariat, FAO and RFMO/RFBs to take stock of successes and lessons learned during the implementation of activities in the 2013-2016 project. Furthermore, participants exchanged information and ideas on a range of issues, including: work programmes and priorities for the next few years; scientific management of sharks and rays; the collection, analysis and exchange of data; and ways to further improve communication. 

 

The meeting helped to identify common goals and synergies, as well as possible opportunities for future collaboration, including potential activities for a second phase of the EU-funded CITES project for 2017-2019.

 

 

For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact:

 

Liu Yuan, CITES Secretariat, +41 22 9178130, [email protected]

 

 

With 183 Parties, CITES remains one of the world's most powerful tools for biodiversity conservation through the regulation of trade in wild fauna and flora. Thousands of species are internationally traded and used by people in their daily lives for food, housing, health care, ecotourism, cosmetics or fashion.

 

CITES regulates international trade in over 35,000 species of plants and animals, including their products and derivatives, ensuring their survival in the wild with benefits for the livelihoods of local people and the global environment. The CITES permit system seeks to ensure that international trade in listed species is sustainable, legal and traceable.

 

CITES was signed in Washington D.C. on 3 March 1973 and entered into force on 1 July 1975.

 

 

 

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ICCAT – International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas; IOTC – Indian Ocean Tuna Commission; IAATC – Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission; SEAFDEC – Southeast Asian Fisheries Development Centre; WECAFC – Western Central Atlantic Fishery Commission.