U.S. and Mexico Among 37 Countries Pursuing Shark and Ray Trade Measures

WASHINGTON, DC, October 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –

At least 37 countries, including the United States and Mexico, have proposed
protections for ten shark and ray species under the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES). The U.S. will join Colombia in leading an effort to secure
trade measures for the oceanic whitetip shark. In cooperation with at least five other
countries and the European Union, Mexico is pursuing protections for three species of
hammerheads. Other species proposed by various CITES Parties include the porbeagle shark,
both manta rays, and three freshwater stingrays.

All of these proposals target listing on CITES Appendix II, which would prompt permits
to ensure international trade is legal and sustainable, as a complement to fisheries
management. CITES Parties will debate and vote on listing proposals in March 2013 in
Bangkok.

“International trade is a major driver for shark fisheries around the world, and yet
controls on this exploitation are woefully insufficient,” said Sonja Fordham, President of
Shark Advocates. “We are grateful for continued U.S. leadership in addressing
international shark trade, and welcome this unprecedented number of proposals to safeguard
these vulnerable species under CITES.”

Hammerhead fins are valuable for use in a traditional, celebratory Chinese soup.
Scalloped, great, and smooth hammerheads have been proposed for CITES listing. Scalloped
and great hammerheads are classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature
(IUCN) as globally Endangered. Proponents joining Mexico include Brazil, Costa Rica,
Croatia, Ecuador, Honduras, and the 27 Member States of the EU.

“Hammerhead sharks are among the most threatened of the wide-ranging sharks, due
largely to the high demand for their fins,” said Rebecca Regnery, Deputy Director for
Wildlife at Humane Society International. “We are particularly pleased that Mexico, an
influential shark-fishing nation, has joined the effort to conserve hammerheads through
CITES with this strong proposal.”

The oceanic whitetip shark, porbeagle, both manta rays, and the smooth hammerhead are
listed by IUCN as globally Vulnerable. The freshwater stingrays are considered Data
Deficient.

Porbeagles are prized for meat as well as fins. Manta rays are increasingly targeted
for their gill rakers, which are used in Chinese medicine. Freshwater stingrays are traded
for display in aquariums.

The porbeagle proposal comes from the EU and is cosponsored by Brazil, Comoros, and
Egypt. Ecuador has put forth the mantas while Colombia has proposed the freshwater
stingrays.

Notes to Editors:

Shark Advocates International (SAI) is a project of The Ocean Foundation formed to
advance sound conservation policies for sharks and rays. Humane Society International
(HSI) is one of the only international animal protection organizations in the world
working to protect all animals. SAI and HSI are collaborating with Wildlife Conservation
Society, Project AWARE, Shark Trust, and the German Elasmobranch Society to promote CITES
listings for sharks and rays.

This information is based on a provisional list posted by CITES. The final list is
anticipated within days.

Media contact: Liz Morley: +1-843-693-5044

SOURCE Shark Advocates International (SAI)