Economic Interests Trump Scientists' Recommendations to Protect Marine Species at CoP15
In spite of recommendations from scientists and conservationists, member nations voting at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 15th Convention of Parties (CoP15) in Doha, Qatar, failed to approve any of the marine species that were up for protection under the convention. The initial agreement to give porbeagle sharks increased trade protection species was reversed, overturning what was to be the only victory for marine species at the meeting.
Among the proposals were placing 32 species of red and pink corals (Coralliidae) and several species of sharks under Appendix II. The proposal for trade protections for these corals secured the support of a plurality of those voting (64 votes in favor and 59 against, with 10 abstentions) but fell short of the required two-thirds majority.
Porbeagle sharks, which are hunted for their fins and meat, were listed on Appendix II on Tuesday, March 23, before that decision was reversed. Spiny dogfish, which are also targeted for meat, and hammerhead and oceanic whitetip sharks, hunted primarily for their fins for soup, were also denied that protection.
Earlier in the week, polar bears and bluefin tuna also failed to be listed under Appendix I. This was done even though the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List classifies bluefin as critically endangered, and despite overwhelming scientific evidence that levels of take of Northern Atlantic bluefin are not sustainable. At the 2009 meeting International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tuna (ICCAT) meeting, the catch limit was reduced from 32,000 to 13,500 metric tons, short of the ICCAT scientists' recommendation to reduce the catch to 8,000 metric tons or less to allow the population to recover.
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