Fw: International Trade Endangers Sharks - Take Action to Help

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" The Ocean Conservancy "

International Trade Endangers Sharks - Take Action to Help

 

 

Your help is needed to support sound proposals limiting unsustainable

trade in imperiled species of sharks and rays. Proposals to protect

sawfish, spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks under the Convention on

International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will be considered in June

by 170 CITES member countries. These proposals are vital to reducing

extinction risk for these vulnerable and depleted species, but they face an

uphill battle and need strong public support, particularly in the United

States.

 

Your voice is needed during this CITES comment period to balance industry

pressure to oppose CITES action for sharks. Please write to the Fish and

Wildlife Service before April 23 to express your strong support for passage

of all three shark and ray proposals.

 

Take Action

 

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=DV70ceIMU9xqgkx5Fcf2MA..

 

International trade in sawfish, spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks is

endangering the future of these vulnerable, under-protected species. Sawfish

are among the most imperiled fish in the world, with all species

considered Critically Endangered by the World Conservation Union

(IUCN).

 

The fins of shark-like rays known as sawfish are highly valued for use

in the Asian delicacy shark fin soup while their remarkable tooth-studded,

blade-like snouts are used in traditional medicines.

 

European demand for spiny dogfish meat, consumed as fish and chips in the

U.K. and as beer garden snacks in Germany, is driving the serial

depletion of populations around the world. The meat of porbeagle sharks is

among the most prized shark meat in the world. The IUCN classifies both

species as Endangered in the U.S. Atlantic and Critically Endangered off

Europe.

 

The U.S. government is under tremendous pressure to oppose the shark

listings, particularly that for spiny dogfish. But, the support of the U.S.

is very important because CITES proposals need a two-thirds majority of

voting countries to succeed. Lack of U.S. support for these proposals may

jeopardize the future of these imperiled species. The U.S. has only one

vote, but significant influence over other nations.

 

Please take action by writing to the Fish and Wildlife Service before April

23 and expressing your strong support for passage of all three shark and ray

proposals.

 

http://www.oceanconservancy.org/site/R?i=uENMpC1EyLuptmtR2lxjjw..