PRESS RELEASE | February 24, 2024
“It is encouraging to see how decisions at CMS are paving the way for the conservation of migratory sharks and rays. Strong protection measures have been adopted and we look forward to working with our partners around the world to support implementation in the coming years”, said Melanie Virtue, Head of the Aquatic Species team at the CMS Secretariat, headquartered in Bonn, Germany.
Species added to the CMS Appendices The global population of Sand Tiger Shark Carcharias taurus (also called Grey Nurse Shark in Australia or Raggedtooth Shark in South Africa) was listed on Appendices I and II. In addition, the global populations of the Blackfin Guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus, Lusitanian Cownose Ray Rhinoptera marginata, and Duckbill Eagle Ray (also known as Bull Ray) Aetomylaeus bovinus, were listed on Appendix II, with Mediterranean Sea populations of each species listed on Appendix I. - The global population of Sand Tiger Shark Carcharias taurus (also called Grey Nurse Shark in Australia or Raggedtooth Shark in South Africa) was listed on Appendices I and II. "We congratulate the CMS Parties for the consensus inclusion of the Sand Tiger Shark on CMS Appendices I and II. These oceanic top predators are assessed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, due to pressure from artisanal, recreational, and commercial fisheries. With this CMS listing, their take is now prohibited for all 133 CMS Party Governments, and we are hopeful that the listing on Appendix II will help enhance international cooperation to both eliminate these threats and conserve their habitats”, noted Dr. Susan Lieberman, Vice President, International Policy with the Wildlife Conservation Society. Learn more: Proposal for the Inclusion of the Sand Tiger Shark (Carcharias taurus) in Appendix I and II of the Convention | CMS In addition, the global populations of the Blackfin Guitarfish Glaucostegus cemiculus, Lusitanian Cownose Ray Rhinoptera marginata, and Duckbill Eagle Ray (also known as Bull Ray) Aetomylaeus bovinus, were listed on Appendix II, with Mediterranean Sea populations of each species listed on Appendix I. Learn more:
Angelshark Single Species Action Plan A Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark Squatina squatina in the Mediterranean Sea was adopted. “With this action plan countries have an opportunity to implement concrete conservation action to ensure that this threatened shark is safeguarded in one of its last remaining strongholds, the Mediterranean Sea“, said Eva Meyers, co-founder of the Angel Shark Project and partner of the Angel Shark Conservation Network (ASCN). Learn more: Single Species Action Plan for the Angelshark (Squatina squatina) in the Mediterranean Sea | CMS Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) A resolution in support of the Important Shark and Ray Areas (ISRA) project was adopted. ISRAs are ‘discrete, three-dimensional portions of habitat, important for shark species, that are delineated to be managed for conservation’ (www.sharkrayareas.org). The resolution recommends that relevant Parties (including national international and regional management organizations) support the identification of ISRAs and consider areas delineated when working towards conserving migratory species and their habitats, including through their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) that should be developed under the framework of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). “We welcome the recognition of ISRAs as an expert-driven approach to identifying areas that are critical for the survival of migratory sharks and rays. With this decision, governments further showed their commitments to implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by supporting the consideration of ISRAs in marine spatial planning. It’s only by working together and using all the conservation tools available that we will be able to reduce the mortality of sharks and rays and ensure their recovery’, added Dr Rima Jabado, Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission and Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission Shark Specialist Group which is leading the Important Shark and Ray Areas project. Learn more: https://www.cms.int/en/document/important-shark-and-ray-areas-1 Other key decisions Parties also recognized the dire state of global populations of the Oceanic Whitetip Shark Carcharhinus longimanus, a Critically Endangered species listed on CMS Appendix I. A decision was adopted requesting Parties to report back on national and regional management measures that have been put in place to meet their obligations under CMS and other regional fisheries bodies that have banned the retention of the species. Learn more: Implementation of the CMS Appendix I-Listing for the Oceanic Whitetip Shark (Carcharhinus longimanus) | CMS Finally, the Conference of the Parties agreed to a series of Concerted Actions focused on rhino rays (sawfishes [Pristidae], wedgefishes [Rhinidae], and guitarfishes [Glaucostegidae and Rhinobatidae]), the most imperiled group of sharks and rays, and the Blue Shark Prionace glauca. These priority measures have the goal of improving the conservation status of species by targeting key intervention points. What next? Now that the COP has concluded, preparations for the implementation of agreed activities in the upcoming triennium will begin. To obtain tangible results, Parties, with support from the Secretariat and Scientific Council, will identify priority activities and facilitate the necessary resources... Parties will also need to update national regulations to protect species listed on Appendix I. In addition, Parties are encouraged to consider migratory species and CMS implementation, in the development of their CBD NBSAPs, which must be submitted before the CBD Conference of the Parties in October 2024; this provides an opportunity to further highlight the conservation needs of migratory sharks and rays. Comments are closed.
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