CITES Votes to Restrict Trade in Five Shark Species, Manta Rays
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) member states voted March 11 to list five species of sharks and manta rays in Appendix II, mandating restrictions on trade in these animals, said the Fish and Wildlife Service. Three species of hammerhead sharks -- scalloped hammerhead, great hammerhead, and smooth hammerhead -- as well as porbeagle sharks and manta rays were all voted onto the appendix. CITES member states will decide whether to confirm the listings at a later session.
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The sharks were listed because of concerns of over-harvesting for their fins, FWS. Most shark fins are exported to Asia, where they are a main ingredient in shark fin soup. Porbeagle sharks are also overfished for their meat, and manta rays are over-harvested for their gill plates, FWS said.
The U.S. supported the listing of all six species: “We are extremely pleased that CITES member nations have given grater protections to these commercially exploited marine species,” said Bryan Arroyo, head of the U.S. delegation.
CITES Appendix II includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction, but may become so without restrictions on trade. The more restrictive Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction, and provides the highest level of protection.