Status: 18.11.2022 9:12 a.m
Canada, Japan and Peru wanted to limit the protection of sharks to just a few species – but an alliance between the EU and Panama prevailed. A “historic decision,” say environmentalists.
A breakthrough in the protection of sharks was achieved at the Cites World Species Conference in Panama. After hours of discussion, 60 shark species have been placed under international protection for the first time. Environmental protection organizations spoke of an important success for the protection of these marine animals. The decision still has to be confirmed in the plenary session of the conference next week.
The 184 contracting states of the CITES species protection convention have been meeting in Panama since Monday. The aim of the convention is to limit international trade in wild animals and plants in such a way that the survival of endangered species is ensured. Trade is then strictly regulated or banned.
60 shark species under international protection
In the future, 54 requiem sharks and six other hammerhead shark species will only be allowed to be traded sustainably. So far, few shark species have been protected under cites. Sharks are hunted for their fins and meat and traded internationally. Several species are critically endangered or already threatened with extinction.
The discussion about requiem sharks (ground sharks), including the commercially important blue shark, was particularly heated. “If we don’t act now, we will lose all of these iconic species and top predators in the coming decades,” Panama’s representative said when presenting the proposal.
“Sharks are indispensable key species”
After two attempts by some countries to vote to reduce the number of species to be protected, the motion by Panama, the European Union and a dozen other countries won out unequivocally. The environmental foundation WWF spoke of a “goose bumps moment” for conservationists. “This is a historic decision for the health of the seas, because sharks are indispensable key species,” said WWF expert Heike Zidowitz.
Until the final vote, however, it is now important that the contracting states do not allow themselves to be swayed. Another proposal for the protection of guitarfish is also to be discussed. According to the International Fund for Animal Welfare, if this were also adopted, almost all species of sharks and similar fish whose fins are traded internationally would be under the control of Cites. It’s currently around 25 percent.