News from CoP13 - Great WhIte to be protected

'Vilified in popular culture as a relentless man-eater, the great white shark finally received today global recognition as a persecuted species worthy of protection. Participants of the 13th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) adopted a proposal to improve management and monitoring of trade in jaws, teeth and fins from the world's largest predatory fish.

Led by the governments of Madagascar and Australia, the proposal to list the great white shark on Appendix II was approved by 87 voting in favor of listing, 34 opposed, and 9 abstentions. Proposals require two-thirds of those voting for approval.

"I'm thankful that the international community recognizes this species for what it really is - a perfectly adapted oceanic predator and a key player in many of the world's marine ecosystems," said Dr. Ramón Bonfil, a specialist on great white shark ecology and a conservation fisheries scientist for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and member of the World Conservation Union's (IUCN) Shark Specialist Group. A strong proponent of this CITES initiative, he noted: "In spite of its reputed ferocity, this species is ironically a victim of what is undoubtedly the planet's most deadly species - humans. This listing will help us manage the trade that currently threatens the great white shark by requiring data that harvests are not a detriment to the species."' See WCS for the complete report.

See also Reuters and AFP reports.

Earth Negotiations Bulletin provides daily updates from CoP13; see all the highlights from Tue 12 Oct 2004, e.g. The Humphead wrasse (Cheilinus undulates) was listed in Appendix II (Prop.33).