Endangered sharks and stingrays to be protected by CITIES listing

Abstract

Species of sharks and sting rays are to be protected after nations at the CITES forum in South Africa voted overwhelmingly in favour of listing. Silky sharks, all three species of thresher sharks and all nine species of mobula rays or devil rays are to be listed. Mike Donoghue, Threatened and Migratory Species Adviser at the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP), says the listing is significant as it means these endangered species will no longer be under the control fishing interests.