IFAW: CITES takes a bite out of shark fin trade

IFAW has welcomed the decision today by the 16th Conference of the Parties (CoP 16) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) to give greater protection to three species of hammerhead sharks, the oceanic whitetip shark and the porbeagle.

“We are delighted that the CITES Parties have decided to combat the voracious trade in shark fins that currently slaughters up to 100 million sharks per year by granting greater protection for several species of sharks,” said Dr. Ralf Sonntag, IFAW’s shark specialist. “If agreed at plenary, this proposal to include the five species on Appendix II of CITES would help regulate the international trade in their fins and make sure that it is managed in a biologically sustainable way.”

Sharks, such as the hammerheads or the oceanic whitetips, are among the most sought after sharks on the market and especially on the black market. This market demand puts them at the highest risk with devastating effects on the local shark populations and the marine ecosystem. This is why we need international regulations like CITES. Porbeagles, unlike the other sharks listed, are sought primarily for their meat with the fins considered a useful by-product.

The scalloped hammerhead shark also has a slow reproductive rate which means that it cannot recover quickly enough to sustain its populations. It is largely targeted for its fin which means that once caught its fin is often cruelly cut off before it is thrown back into the sea dead or alive. The fin is then used to make soup. Many others are caught incidentally through commercial fishing.

Smooth and great hammerhead shark fins are very similar to those of the scalloped hammerhead which means that they are at risk of being targeted accidentally for their fins.

“This is a bold move by CITES and should be applauded,” said Dr. Sonntag. “These sharks are worth far more alive than dead to local communities. Sharks are charismatic animals that are beloved by divers and therefore can play an important role in attracting more tourists and tourist revenue for coastal communities.”

"There is no hidden reserve of sharks and they are disappearing fast. Most sharks have an exceptionally limited biological productivity and can therefore be overfished even at very low levels of fishing mortality. Sharks such as the porbeagle are absolutely critical for the long term health of the ocean. Their loss could lead to unpredictable consequences for the ocean, including the health of marine habitats and fisheries," concluded Sonntag.

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Notes to editors

For more information or to arrange interviews please contact Amanda Gent on +44 (0)20 7587 6725, or agent@ifaw.org, or Adrian Hiel in Bangkok on +66 82 974 2650 or ahiel@ifaw.org

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About IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare)
Founded in 1969, IFAW saves animals in crisis around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter