Sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii spp.)

Directed to Parties that are members of Regional Fisheries Organizations or Bodies
Parties that are also members of Regional Fisheries Management Organizations or Bodies (RFMOs/RFBs) are urged to:
a) work through the respective mechanisms of these RFMOS/RFBs to develop and improve methods to avoid bycatch of sharks and rays, where retention, landing, and sale of these species is prohibited under RFMO requirements, and reduce their mortality, including by exploring gear selectivity and improved techniques for live release;
b) encourage the RFMOs/RFBs to consider making CITES-listed species a priority for data collection, data collation and stock assessments among non-target species, and provide these data to their members; and
c) cooperate regionally on research, stock assessments, data sharing and analysis to help Parties making legal acquisition findings and NDFs for shared stocks, and on training initiatives for CITES Authorities, fisheries staff and customs officers, in cooperation with the CITES and FAO Secretariats.

Document status
Invalid
Number/Code
17.214
Primary category
Species specific matters
Decision group
17.209 to 17.216
Decision directed to
Parties
Meeting
Seventeenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Document type
Decision