Groundbreaking Shark protection laws come into effect from 14th September 2014. Great news for Sharks and ocean conservation! For the first time, international trade in five species of shark and two species of manta ray must be proven to be legal and sustainable, if it is to continue.
In March 2013, Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) added Porbeagle and Oceanic Whitetip Sharks, three species of Hammerhead Sharks—scalloped, great, and smooth—as well as all species of Manta Ray to CITES Appendix II. Although there are over 400 species of Sharks around the world, none are yet listed in Appendix I (meaning trade of any kind is prohibited)
Appendix II listed species can be traded, but only if the trade is legal and does not cause harm to the species populations. Putting the required regulations in place will change the global shark fin trade forever and provide these threatened species, which are being driven toward extinction because of overfishing, with a chance for survival and recovery.
But just how will these laws be implemented and policed is what many people are asking? This YouTube Clip "Implementing New Shark Protections Worldwide" was produced by the PEW trust and explains just that. Great news for sharks and our oceans.
