Shark Protection. Historic Day for Shark Conservation
The body, which regulates trade in flora and fauna, voted by a two-thirds majority to upgrade the sharks’ status. The decisions can still be overturned by a vote on the final day of this meeting later this week. Their numbers have declined dramatically in recent years, as the trade in shark fins for soup has grown.
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Three types of critically endangered but commercially valuable shark have been given added protection at the Cites meeting in Bangkok.
The body, which regulates trade in flora and fauna, voted by a two-thirds majority to upgrade the sharks’ status.
Campaigners hailed the move as historic and said the vote represented a major eakthrough for marine conservation.
The decisions can still be overturned by a vote on the final day of this meeting later this week.
The oceanic whitetip, three varieties of hammerheads and the porbeagle are all said to be seriously threatened by overfishing.
Their numbers have declined dramatically in recent years, as the trade in shark fins for soup has grown.
Manta rays are killed for their gill plates which are used in Chinese medicine.
Shark supporters have been attempting to get Cites to protect these species since 1994. But there has long been strong opposition to the move from China and Japan.
Via bbc.co.uk
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