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CITES Listing of hammerhead sharks - time to comment |
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| Written by Recfish |
| Monday, 14 December 2009 12:48 |
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. Nations that are members of CITES can nominate a species to be listed in Appendix I, II or III of CITES. Each appendix designates a particular level of protection depending on the threat posed to the species by unregulated trade, with Appendix I listing being the most restrictive and prohibiting commercial trade in wild-caught specimens. A number of marine species have been nominated for listing in the CITES Appendices at the next meeting in March 2010. These nominations will be considered and voted on by the 175 member nations at the March 2010 Conference of Parties. Nominations to include species in CITES Appendix ll include:
have also been nominated for inclusion in Appendix II as ‘look-a-like’ species because it is difficult to differentiate between these species and scalloped hammerhead when the fins and other parts are in trade.
All of these sharks are taken commercially in Australian fisheries with variable levels of importance to recreational fishers. Under an Appendix II listing, harvest and commercial trade can continue, subject to ensuring it is not detrimental to the survival of the species. The Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA) is currently determining what, if any, implications there might be for current management and catch reporting arrangements in Australian fisheries if the nominations are successful.
Under the EPBC Act, Australia can adopt a higher Appendix listing if the Minister chooses to. Northern bluefin tuna has also been nominated to be listed in CITES Appendix l, which if successful, will prohibit commercial trade of this species. Northern bluefin tuna is not targeted in any Australian fishery and is only rarely caught incidentally. DEWHA has recently written to relevant Commonwealth state and territory government agencies, industry stakeholders and conservation non-government organisations inviting comment on the CITES nominations by 8 January 2010. Comments on the proposals can emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or submitted by mail to: Australian CITES Management Authority
Further details on the public comment process and the agenda for the Conference of Parties can be found on the DEWHA website at:http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/trade-use/cites/cop/index.html To assist you in making your submission, Recfish Australia has included links to relevant documents. You need to also be aware that the Agenda Item on which you are commenting is: Agenda Item 68 - Proposals to Amend Appendices I and II.
Links Hammerhead Shark and Dusky Shark Proposal Appendix to Porbeagle Proposal
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Last Updated on Monday, 14 December 2009 14:08 |
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