Image links to BBC article
Three species 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 status of these sharks. But for some reason they reserve the ability to overturn it by a vote in the last meeting later this week. 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. (I hate to say it because I don’t want it to point fingers or single out any group of people but, anyone else notice a common denominator behind a lot of the endangered species problems? They’ve been in every article I’ve read so far. I understand that it’s been part of their culture for so long, but I don’t understand why they continue to do it the point of wiping out so many animals.) Experts say the critical factor has been a shift in South American nations, who’ve come to understand that sharks are more valuable alive than dead. “They’ve come to realize, particularly for those with hammerhead stocks, the tourist value of these species and the long term future that will be protected by a Cites listing,” said Dr Colman O’Criodain from WWF International. However, While the vote to upgrade these shark species to Appendix 2 does not ban the trade, it regulates it. Both exporting and importing countries must issue licenses. If a nation takes too many of these species, they can be hit with sanctions on the range of animal and plant products that are governed by Cites. So, they accomplished nothing that day?
Also in the news about sharks:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-21719781
High school student gets attacked by a shark and becomes a shark advocate. 🙂 Video included
Kismets' Oubliette 