The IUCN/SSC Shark Specialist Group
Shark News 5: October 1995
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Editorial
Sarah Fowler
This issue of Shark News should remind us that, despite its name, the
interests of the Shark Specialist Group (SSG) also include the sharks'
close relatives and more numerous elasmobranch species, skates and
rays. These fascinating fish often do not attract the same attention as the
highly publicised sharks, despite the fact that they are probably as
heavily exploited by directed fisheries and in fisheries by-catch. In some
cases they are even more vulnerable.
The mobulids (devil fish and mantas, pages 1 and 3) are particularly
long-lived and slow breeding species, with a potential economic value
from sustainable tourism which could far outweigh their value to
fisheries. (Has the value to the diving industry and local community of
the famous rays of 'Stingray City' in the Caribbean, a major attraction
on the international sports diving circuit, ever been assessed? If so,
please send this information in to Shark News - it would be an
interesting case study to feature.)
The rarely recorded and critically endangered freshwater stingrays,
including the giant rays first described from the Chao Phraya River in
Thailand (page 5), are thought to be perilously close to extinction as the
result of fisheries combined with habitat degradation. In contrast, the
colder waters of the North Sea have supported long-term intensive
fisheries of a few species of skate and ray at a level of exploitation which
some scientists might have thought impossible (page 8), while other
species have declined to vanishing point in some areas.
Some of the SSG's current initiatives are noted elsewhere. Members
are being invited to become involved in the process of Red Listing
elasmobranchs (assessing their conservation status) for several purposes:
the new IUCN Red List (to be published in 1996), the Shark Action Plan
(final draft due August 1996), and for our contribution to the CITES
review of the status of sharks in international trade. We are also
cooperating with those undertaking the study of international trade in
sharks and shark products.
Progress toward the fulfilment of the CITES shark resolution is under
way (see page 4). However, it is still far too early to determine whether
CITES Appendix listings should be recommended for any elasmobranch
species, because we and others are still collecting the necessary
background information. Once the results of the above studies are
available, the SSG will need to assess whether any elasmobranch
species, subject to international trade, is or may be threatened with
extinction. The SSG must then discuss whether a CITES listing to
monitor or control trade would be appropriate or effective in improving
its status. Fortunately, there is time for such discussions to take place:
listing proposals for additions of species to the CITES Appendices must
be submitted to the CITES Secretariat by no later than January 1997.
These subjects will be discussed at the next major meeting of the
Shark Specialist Group scheduled to take place at the World Fisheries
Congress in Brisbane, August 1996. A special one-day symposium,
"Sharks and Man: Worldwide Management and Conservation" will
also take place at the Congress. Please note that, if you want to submit
a paper for any of the three symposium sessions (shark fisheries
management, shark control programmes (public safety), and shark
conservation), you should send in your abstract NOW (see page 12).
Finally, it is very sad to feature a farewell message from our former
chairman alongside this editorial. We will greatly miss Sonny's leadership
and guidance. I have been appointed as Acting Chair in his place and,
with the help and support of the Group's Deputy/Vice Chairs and
members, will do my best to keep the SSG running smoothly for the rest
of the current triennium (until the end of 1996).
Sarah Fowler
Nature Conservation Bureau, 36 Kingfisher Court
Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5SJ, UK.
Email: sarahfowler@naturebureau.co.uk
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