The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
13TH Conference of the Parties to CITES Lists White Shark
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13TH Conference of the Parties to CITES Lists White Shark
Some 50 proposals to change the status of species on the CITES Appendices -
ranging from the notorious great white shark, to the little known Hoodia
species, plants prized by the pharmaceutical industry for their
appetite-suppressing qualities - were among the decisions and recommendations
considered by the CITES Parties over the last two weeks. They reaffirmed that
CITES has an important role in contributing to the conservation and
management of marine species in international trade, as well as timber and
medicinal plant species. Three new marine species (humphead wrasse, date
mussel, and great white shark) were added to Appendix II. The consideration
of local livelihoods and local economies was central to decisions made on the
conservation of other commercially important species such as the tropical
tree, ramin and sturgeon. The strong link between sustainable use of natural
resources and people's wellbeing will be highlighted again at the 3rd IUCN
World Conservation Congress next month. In a show of confidence in the
expertise that IUCN and its Species Survival Commission provide to the
Convention, delegates named SSC Specialist Groups as key advisors in relation
to a number of species including rhinos, sharks, freshwater turtles,
medicinal plants, alien invasive species and trees. Specialist Groups were
specifically cited in a number of resolutions and decisions during the
meeting. Full roundup of the meeting at:
http://www.iucn.org/themes/ssc/citescop13/main.htm
More details on the 13th CITES Conference
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