Nations Unite to Save Sharks and Rays from Extinction

Global governments have agreed to widespread international trade bans and restrictions for sharks and rays being driven to extinction. Last week, more than 70 shark and ray species, including oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays, received new safeguards under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. The convention, known as CITES, is a United Nations treaty that requires countries to regulate or prohibit international trade in species whose survival is threatened. According to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), an international nonprofit dedicated to preserving animals and their habitats, the global market for sharks and rays is worth nearly $1 billion annually. "This is a major victory for shark and ray conservation," Warwick said. "For decades, these species have been caught and traded, often without regard for their conservation status. The new protections will help to prevent further declines in their populations and ensure the long-term health of our oceans." The sweeping conservation measures were adopted as the treaty's 20th Conference of the Parties (COP) came to a close in Panama City, Panama. The agreement marks a significant shift in international attitudes towards the conservation of sharks and rays, which are closely related species that play similar roles as apex predators in the ocean. They help to maintain healthy marine ecosystems, and their loss could have far-reaching consequences for the health of the world's oceans. The new protections will require countries to regulate or prohibit international trade in the listed shark and ray species, including the sale of their fins, meat, and other body parts. The agreement also includes provisions for the monitoring and enforcement of trade in these species, as well as the development of national plans to conserve and manage shark and ray populations. The move has been welcomed by conservation groups and scientists, who have long argued that the international trade in sharks and rays is unsustainable and threatens the long-term health of the world's oceans. "This is a major step forward for shark and ray conservation," said Dr. Demian Chapman, a shark expert at Florida International University. "The new protections will help to prevent further declines in their populations and ensure the long-term health of our oceans." The agreement is also seen as a significant victory for the international community, which has come together to address the global threat posed by the overfishing and trade of sharks and rays. The new protections will require countries to work together to implement and enforce the agreement, and to share data and best practices for the conservation and management of shark and ray populations. The new protections will take effect in 18 months, and countries will be required to submit national reports on their progress in implementing the agreement. The next step will be for countries to develop national plans to conserve and manage shark and ray populations, and to implement measures to prevent overfishing and trade in these species. The agreement is seen as a major step forward for shark and ray conservation, and a significant victory for the international community.