‘Be nice to sharks’

The most recent estimate shows that globally, on average, 38 million sharks are traded annually for their fins. Although some international fisheries organizations have banned shark finning, regulating trade of shark fins and other products is critical to protect many shark and ray species, including oceanic whitetip sharks, hammerhead sharks, and manta rays, now threatened by the growing shark-fin trade. These important top-tier predators — which are found in Philippine waters — are important to a healthy marine ecosystem. The United States and the Philippines share a commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of marine species, including sharks and rays. But success in protecting these species requires international cooperation.

An international agreement exists to help ensure that the international trade in animals and plants is legal and sustainable — the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). CITES lists species according to the level of protection each species needs. Decisions on listing are made at meetings of CITES member countries (referred to as “Conferences of the Parties”) that take place every two to three years. Both the US and the Philippines are members of CITES, and have enjoyed a good partnership on wildlife conservation issues over the years.

This year’s CITES Conference of the Parties is taking place in Bangkok from March 3 to 14. Among other proposals, this Conference will consider giving formal protection in CITES to a number of marine species, including oceanic whitetip sharks, three species of hammerhead sharks (smooth, scalloped, and great), porbeagle sharks and manta rays. Adopting these proposals can help ensure that the trade of these species is monitored and takes place at levels that are sustainable.

The United States strongly supports all of these proposals, but our support is not enough. Passing a proposal requires a two-thirds majority of the CITES member countries that are present, and voting is needed to adopt a proposal. While this may seem difficult to achieve, the protection of hundreds of species under CITES is proof of the fact that if we combine our efforts, we can trade natural resources sustainably. The United States encourages other CITES nations, including the Philippines, to vote in support of these important marine species proposals.

Our oceans are under increasing pressure from human exploitation, and we all have a duty to do what we can to reverse this trend. Listing these shark and ray species under CITES will help make the trade of these species sustainable.