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After consideration of six shark measure proposals this November, the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) agreed to prohibit the retention of whitetip sharks, restrict exploitation of hammerheads and establish a process for penalizing countries not complying with requirements to report catches and reduce fishing pressure on shortfin mako sharks. Proposals to prohibit retention of common thresher and porbeagle sharks were rejected as well as a measure to strengthen the ICCAT shark “finning” ban.
“ICCAT has taken significant steps toward safeguarding sharks this week, but more must be done to effectively conserve these highly vulnerable species,” said Sonja Fordham, President of Shark Advocates International and Project AWARE partner who serves on the US ICCAT Advisory Committee. “We urge the ICCAT Parties to promptly implement the shark measures agreed this week and build on this progress by proposing complementary international safeguards for other oceans and additional shark protections,” added Fordham.
What else can you do:
Sign Project AWARE’s shark petition . We’re organizing initial meetings with delegates in key countries. We want their vote to protect 8 critical sharks species at the next CITES convention. Why CITES? It’s the only international treaty where if species trade protection gets a majority vote – it becomes law. The most recent vote was close. We have a real chance to sway the next one.
Support shark conservation . With your gift of $25 or more, you’ll receive a free mask strap for your next diving adventure. Your support for critical shark species couldn’t come at a better time than now. Take action today!
Visit projectaware.org for more information.
