Sustainability Corner: International protections granted to more species of marine life
Manta rays, devil rays, and certain shark species will be further protected
Photo courtesy of Arturo de Frias Marques/Wikimedia Commons
Recently, multiple marine animals have been granted additional international protections by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The conference took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan and ended in profound victories for many marine life species, as per Oceanographic Magazine. While this adaptation is necessary and environmentally conscious in theory, the implementation of these policy changes is what will determine its impact.
Manta rays and devil rays are among the animals being included. Oceanographic said, “...member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) have voted to uplist all ten species of manta and devil rays to Appendix I – the Convention’s strongest possible safeguard.” According to Manta Trust, Appendix I is the “highest level of international protection under CITES.” Animals placed under Appendix I protections cannot be internationally traded. This agreement will ensure that the international commercial trade of these animals and their products will be dismantled.
These rays are in danger of extinction, and this prohibition on hunting will be a pivotal step in protecting the remaining populations. They are often killed for certain soups that utilize their fins as an ingredient and some medicines which incorporate their gills, as reported by Humane World for Animals. While usage of the rays in medicines is not proven by research, they continue to be hunted for these purposes. Much of the data from the hunting of these rays is not accurately reported, and often underreported, so there is no accurate way of knowing exactly how many rays have died because of commercial trade and hunting.
Global trade shifting to online platforms has disrupted uniform methods of keeping track of marine life trade. It is harder to accurately track online data and there has been an increase in non-compliance with previous regulations through online markets. Furthermore, it has been recognized that the amount of ray meat being sold online and consumed has not been properly accounted for. The misrepresentation in the numbers of trade has led to the rays’ numbers rapidly declining.
During the deliberations, bans were also placed on the trading of whale sharks and oceanic whitetip sharks. Gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks will also be granted harsher restrictions on trade. POLITICO further explained these harsher restrictions by stating, “...[it] means they can be traded, but there must be proof the sources are legal, sustainable and traceable.”
The International Fund for Animal Welfare reports that oceanic whitetip sharks are another species threatened by extinction if action is not taken. There has also been an influx of illegal oceanic whitetip shark fin trade, with numbers being grossly underreported to CITES. However, with the enforcement and implementation of the new protections under Appendix I, conservationists are more hopeful for their future.
Around 37 percent of shark and ray species are in danger of extinction globally, with pelagic shark numbers declining by over 70 percent in just half of a century, as reported byMarine Technology News. Director of Shark and Ray Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society Luke Warwick spoke of the victory, saying, “...Countries across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia came together in a powerful show of leadership and solidarity, passing every shark and ray proposal tabled for the CoP covering over 70 species…These decisions could not be more urgent…Today’s votes give them a real chance at recovery. The world chose action over extinction.”