The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna & Flora (CITES)
CITES is an international agreement between governments that regulates trade. With 184 member states (‘Parties’) and the European Union. CITES provides a framework for monitoring and controlling trade in wild animals and plants, so as not to threaten their survival.
While CITES does not directly affect shark mortality, it should influence the need for sustainable fisheries management. A number of permits are required when landing CITES listed species caught in high-seas waters or traded across international borders, to show where they’ve come from and that they’re from sustainable populations.
If properly implemented, this is good news for pelagic species where landings are mostly from high-seas waters (e.g. Shortfin Mako). For those CITES listed sharks caught within a nation’s waters (Exclusive Economic Zone or EEZ) there are no trade restrictions on domestic landings or internal trade – so we still need effective catch limits to ensure sustainable management of these domestic fisheries.
The Shark Trust’s overarching conservation goals are reflected in our work at CITES.
SPECIES PROTECTION - protection of endangered species through legislation and effective conservation action;
RESPONSIBLE TRADE - promoting responsible trade and reducing demand for non-sustainable shark products; and linking to the need for...
SUSTAINABLE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT
Over 40,000 species of plants and animals (covering specimens, products, and derivatives) are listed under CITES, including more than 200 species of sharks and rays (on Appendices I and II). By regulating trade in species that cross international borders (on land and at sea), CITES can be a valuable tool in reducing over-exploitation and driving national management plans.
CITES seeks to ensure international trade in listed species is sustainable, legal, and traceable.
Species are proposed for listing by a Party on one of three Appendices.
APPENDIX I – International commercial trade is prohibited except in exceptional circumstances. Includes species threatened with extinction.
APPENDIX II – Trade is controlled under specific conditions. Species are not necessarily threatened with extinction at this time.
APPENDIX III – A certificate of origin is required to trade. Species are protected in at least one country, which has asked other CITES Parties for help in controlling trade.
What species are listed on CITES?
With over 200 species of sharks and rays now listed on CITES there’s a lot to keep up with.
Visit: cites.org/eng/prog/shark for the latest information on all the species listings, and a host of resources related to the implementation of CITES trade restrictions.
