The proposal: To list the basking shark (
Cetorhinus
maximus) in Appendix II. (Submitted by the United Kingdom
on behalf of the European Union.)
HSUS Position: Support
The second largest fish in the oceans—it reaches a length of
40 feet and weighs up to 8,500 pounds—cannot defend itself
against rampant over-fishing and uncontrolled trade. The
basking shark has become rare in areas where the species was
once common. Fishermen report that their catches have dropped
80% in some areas. Local extinctions are likely unless
comprehensive, precautionary measures are adopted to protect
this highly migratory species throughout its range, which
includes the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
The basking shark is caught primarily for its fins, which
are used in the increasingly popular shark fin soup. In China,
a large basking shark fin can fetch more than $15,000. In China
and Japan, basking sharks are also killed for their livers,
which are used in aphrodisiac preparations, health supplements,
and cosmetics.
Eight years ago, the Parties acknowledged the need to slow
the dramatic decline of many shark populations. At the last
meeting of the Parties in 2000, the United Kingdom proposed
that the basking shark be listed on Appendix II to regulate and
control international trade. However, the proposal narrowly
failed to get the necessary two-thirds majority needed to pass.
International trade in basking shark products remains mostly
unregulated.
It would be easy to regulate the trade in basking shark fins
because they are relatively easy to identify. In addition, a
quick and accurate genetic testing method for identifying shark
fins to species was published in July 2002. If CITES puts the
species in Appendix II, it will help implement the UN Food and
Agriculture Organization's International Plan of Action for the
Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA-Sharks). CITES
presently offers the only established and effective means of
monitoring international trade in sharks at the species
level.
