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37 countries pushing for shark and ray trade measures
At least 37 countries, including the United States and Mexico, have proposed protections for ten shark and ray species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). In cooperation with at least five other countries and the European Union, Mexico is pursuing protections for three species of hammerheads. Other species proposed by various CITES Parties include the porbeagle shark, both manta rays, and three freshwater stingrays.
The oceanic whitetip shark, porbeagle, both manta rays, and the smooth hammerhead are listed by IUCN as Globally Vulnerable. The freshwater stingrays are considered Data Deficient.
Porbeagles are prized for meat as well as fins. Manta rays are increasingly targeted for their gill rakers, which are used in Chinese medicine. Freshwater stingrays are traded for display in aquariums.
The porbeagle proposal comes from the EU and is co-sponsored by Brazil, Comoros, and Egypt. Ecuador has put forth the mantas while Colombia has proposed the freshwater stingrays.
"International trade is a major driver for shark fisheries around the world, and yet controls on this exploitation are woefully insufficient." -- Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates