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After 13 Species Listed in Plenary, NGOs look to implementation, remaining threats
Johannesburg, October 4, 2016 - Conservationists are delighted that CITES* Parties have officially
listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the silky shark under CITES Appendix II. The listing proposals
were supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption in Committee on Monday,
and finalized today in Plenary.
"This is a big win for all these species of sharks and rays as governments around the world will now
have to act to ensure that trade is from sustainable and legal fisheries," said Andy Cornish of the WWF.
Nine devil rays, the three thresher sharks, and the silky shark were proposed by countries all over the
globe for listing under CITES Appendix II, which obligates Parties to put in place international trade
restrictions to ensure exports are sustainable and legal.
"We are elated by the resounding support for safeguarding the devil rays, some of the oceans' most
vulnerable animals," said Sonja Fordham of Shark Advocates International. Devil rays have just one
pup every two or three years, leaving them exceptionally susceptible to overfishing.
Ali Hood of the Shark Trust noted, "While we're pleased by this important decision to regulate trade in
silky sharks, we stress that complementary fishing limits and measures to reduce incidental catch are
key to the effective conservation of this species."
"We are grateful that governments recognize the value of healthy thresher shark populations for both
fisheries and tourism," said Ania Budziak of Project AWARE.
CITES Parties now have six months to implement the new international trade obligations for devil rays,
and one year to do the same for silky and thresher sharks.
"We urge governments to put in place these vital international trade controls, as a matter of priority,"
added Amie Brautigam of the Wildlife Conservation Society.
Earlier in the meeting, Parties agreed steps aimed at improving the traceability of shark and ray
products, which is fundamental to CITES implementation. Countries' interventions reflected a growing
recognition of the vital role CITES can play in shark and ray conservation by enhancing data, improving
management, and ensuring sustainable international trade.
Project AWARE, Shark Advocates International, Shark Trust, TRAFFIC, Wildlife Conservation Society,
and WWF are working in partnership to promote the ray and shark listing proposals, with support from
the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation.
*Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna.
Media contact: Brittney Francis: +44 07508 979958 (UK) brittney@communicationsinc.co.uk
For species factsheets see: www.projectaware.org/publication/cites-cop17-fact-sheets
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Shark Advocates International (SAI) is a project of The Ocean Foundation established to provide leadership in advancing sound policies for sharks and rays. Based on nearly 20 years of shark conservation achievement, SAI works to secure science-based limits on shark fishing and trade, protection for endangered species, and stronger bans on shark finning.
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