Shark protection plan approved

BANGKOK – The Cites conference yesterday endorsed a proposal to slap controls on trade in the ocean’s most feared predator, the great white shark of “Jaws” fame.

Conservationists hailed the move as an important step towards protecting the animal, a living torpedo with teeth that has killed many surfers and swimmers but has suffered greatly at the hands of humans. “This will contribute significantly to great white shark conservation,” said Nicola Beynon of Humane Society International, which had campaigned for the proposal.”Now we have an opportunity to ensure trade in great white body parts is regulated sustainably.”The decision made at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, places the great white on Cites Appendix II – which regulates strictly but does not outright ban trade – at the behest of Australia and Madagascar.Their joint proposal argued that a listing “for the white shark would help ensure that exploitation of this globally threatened species is regulated and monitored and that international trade is not detrimental to its survival”.White sharks are targeted commercially and by recreational fishermen for their valuable jaws and teeth.Their fins, like those of other sharks, are in high demand for soup.Firm numbers are not known but scientists say available data suggest the population is in decline.The shark is found in greatest abundance off the coasts of California, Australia and South Africa.In South Africa, it is famed for its explosive and acrobatic attacks on seals.The great white is only the third shark to be afforded such protection by Cites, joining the far larger but gentle basking and whale sharks.The Swiss-based World Conservation Union’s “Red List” – a respected wildlife guideline widely used by scientists and conservationists – classifies 82 sharks and rays as threatened.Another 10 are expected to be added soon.”This will contribute significantly to great white shark conservation,” said Nicola Beynon of Humane Society International, which had campaigned for the proposal.”Now we have an opportunity to ensure trade in great white body parts is regulated sustainably.”The decision made at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, places the great white on Cites Appendix II – which regulates strictly but does not outright ban trade – at the behest of Australia and Madagascar.Their joint proposal argued that a listing “for the white shark would help ensure that exploitation of this globally threatened species is regulated and monitored and that international trade is not detrimental to its survival”.White sharks are targeted commercially and by recreational fishermen for their valuable jaws and teeth.Their fins, like those of other sharks, are in high demand for soup.Firm numbers are not known but scientists say available data suggest the population is in decline.The shark is found in greatest abundance off the coasts of California, Australia and South Africa.In South Africa, it is famed for its explosive and acrobatic attacks on seals.The great white is only the third shark to be afforded such protection by Cites, joining the far larger but gentle basking and whale sharks.The Swiss-based World Conservation Union’s “Red List” – a respected wildlife guideline widely used by scientists and conservationists – classifies 82 sharks and rays as threatened.Another 10 are expected to be added soon.