DENR appeals for international effort to protect migratory sharks

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) is appealing for a concerted international effort to conserve migratory sharks and other species.

According to the DENR, the stewardship of nature is a shared responsibility to ensure a decent life for future generations.

Addressing the 3rd meeting on international cooperation on migratory Sharks under the Convention of Migratory Species Wednesday (Feb. 10) at the Heritage Hotel in Pasay City, DENR Undersecretary Manuel D. Gerochi said there is an “indispensable need for concerted efforts among our countries for the successful implementation of the conservation and management plan for these migratory species.”

Gerochi warned that more and more migratory species are becoming endangered, citing as an example the shark population which has been declining at an alarming rate due to the destruction of their natural habitat and feeding grounds.

Gerochi pointed out that several whale species, dolphins, and porpoises are now included in the list of threatened species due to loss of their natural habitat and feeding grounds, unsustainable fishing, poaching, pollution and other environmental impacts like climate change.

Around 100 participants from various countries and international organizations concerned with wildlife conservation registered for the three-day event which the Philippine government hosted.

Representatives from Egypt, Chile, Congo, Kenya, Ecuador, Panama, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Germany, Thailand, Palau, Togo, Sweden, Spain, Sri Lanka, United States of America, New Zealand, Norway, the Philippines, the Convention in International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES), World Wildlife Fund, Human Society International, Conservation International attended the conference.

The three-day meeting was convened to fine-tune and finalize a non-legally binding memorandum of understanding (MOU) that contains the draft conservation and management plan (CMS) for migratory sharks.

The MOU was the subject of discussion and comments during the 2nd meeting on International Cooperation on migratory sharks held in Rome on Dec. 6-8, 2008 and during the first meeting in the USA.

Among the shark species covered by the MOU are the Rhincodon typus, Cetorhinus maximus, Carcharodon earcharias, Isurus oxyrinchus, Isurus paucus, Lamna nasus, and Squalus acanthias, which are Northern Hemisphere populations.

Under the draft conservation and management plan, the signatories (countries) should make an effort to adopt, implement and enforce the legal, regulatory and administrative measures appropriate to conserve and manage migratory sharks and their habitats.