Posted on 10 November 2014

Twenty-one species of shark and ray have received international protection, adding to recent marine conservation victories. Meeting in Ecuador in November, the 120 member countries of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS),committed to protect the reef manta, nine varieties of devil ray, and five types of sawfish. It was also agreed to conserve all three species of thresher shark, two types of hammerhead, and the silky shark. The move comes shortly after regulations on seven threatened species of shark and ray were introduced under CITES, the Convention regulating trade in endangered species.  “Manta and devil rays are exceptionally vulnerable to overexploitation, usually having one pup every few years,” said WWF’s Ian Campbell, who served on the Fiji delegation. 


Original article posted on: 10.11.14          Updated on: 23.03.15