Trade in sawfish has been banned but two endangered species of sharks failed to win protection at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in The Hague. The proposal to list the spiny dogfish and the porbeagle shark failed to get the two-thirds majority needed for listing.

The outcome of the 14th Meeting of the Conference of CITES Parties (CoP14) hosted by the Netherlands in June 2007 was disappointing for the many organisations and coalitions, including Project AWARE Foundation, who worked hard to promote better shark fisheries management and support three shark proposals: the German’s proposal to list two imperilled shark species (Spiny Dogfish and Porbeagle sharks) under Appendix II and the U.S. and Kenya’s proposal to ban international trade in sawfish, shark-like rays considered critically endangered around the world. After a week of intense lobbying two out of the three proposals failed and fell short of the required two-thirds majority needed for adoption. 

“We are deeply dismayed that Spiny Dogfish and Porbeagle sharks, two exceptionally vulnerable and heavily traded shark species have been denied the global safeguards that are so urgently warranted” commented Sonja Fordham, Shark Alliance Policy Director.

The Porbeagle shark is principally used for fresh, frozen and dried-salted meat across Europe. Spiny dogfish, amongst other small shark species, is used in fish and chips in the UK, where it is called 'Rock Salmon', and as a smoked meat delicacy in Germany, called 'Schillerlocken'. International trade of these sharks is not controlled and fisheries are ineffectively managed. Populations of both species, imported into the EU from countries like Canada, Norway and the US, have dramatically declined in the North Atlantic: by up to 95 per cent for the Spiny Dogfish and 89 per cent for the Porbeagle, in the last ten and forty years respectively.

A number of pro-whaling nations frustrated the meeting with endless points of order. As a result a number of pro-listing delegations had left by the time of voting for the spiny dogfish proposal. Many countries opposing the EU CITES listing proposals for sharks expressed concern over the lack of shark fishery management in European waters and used this as a reason to vote against the listings. During the debates, EU representatives underscored previous commitments to development of an EU Shark Plan by 2008.

However, while the number of votes to support the listing of Spiny Dogfish and Porbeagle sharks under Appendix II was not sufficient, progress has definitely been made on a number of fronts relating to the Shark Alliance core mission: restore and conserve shark populations by improving European fishing policy.

§   One of the three shark proposals has been adopted - Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) adopted a landmark proposal to ban international trade in sawfish, shark-like rays with elongated, tooth-studded snouts. The proposal was made jointly by the United States and Kenya, and was weakened slightly by an annotation from Australia to allow limited trade in live specimens from one Australia species for conservation purposes. The amended proposal received at least 69% of the vote; 66.67% is needed for adoption. The US first proposed a ban on sawfish trade at CITES ten years ago.

§   Attention for sharks, particularly Spiny Dogfish and Porbeagle has increased – including media attention

§   International pressure on the EU to establish management plans for sharks has increased

§   The EU was united behind both proposals Spiny Dogfish and Porbeagle, even if they failed

“The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties of CITES has been a real roller coaster ride. Even though two shark proposals failed to be adopted, global awareness of the plight of sharks has been enhanced” said Sonja Fordham. “We welcome the widespread recognition, by the EU and other countries, that national and international shark conservation measures are urgently needed to recover spiny dogfish populations and prevent depletion of other species. It is imperative that the EU complete its overdue shark management plan, as a matter of priority, and that CITES continues its work to highlight and consider trade limitations for vulnerable shark species”.

Please support Project AWARE’s Protect the Sharks campaign and learn more about the latest activities of the Shark Alliance by visiting www.sharkalliance.org. We need your support to continue our work to protect the sharks.

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