Forum Views () 
Forum Replies ()  
 
 
Read more with google mobile :
UN body rejects protection for shark species  
 
 
 
 
 
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
 
 
 
Australia
China
India
 Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
UN body rejects protection for shark species
 
 
  
 
 AFP - Wednesday, March 24
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
DOHA (AFP) - – The UN wildlife trade body slapped down a trio of proposals Tuesday to oversee cross-border commerce for sharks threatened with extinction through overfishing, sparking anger from conservationists.
 
The only marine species granted protection at a meeting of the Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) was the temperate zone porbeagle, a shark fished for its meat.
 
Earlier, bids to impose a global trade ban on Atlantic bluefin tuna and to require export monitoring for seven species of precious coral both fell well short of the required two-thirds majority.
 
The shark species left exposed to regulated global commerce were the scalloped hammerhead, the oceanic white tip and the spiny dogfish.
 
Millions of hammerhead and whitetip are extracted from seas each year, mainly to satisfy a burgeoning appetite for sharkfin soup, a prestige food in Chinese communities around the world.
 
The US proposals were rejected by a narrow margin, opening the possibility that one or both could get a second hearing on Thursday when the 13-day conference ends.
 
Only decades ago, the two species were among the most common of the semi-coastal and open-water sharks.
 
But incidental catch and demand for fins has slashed populations by 90 percent in several regions.
 
The fish are often tossed back into the water after their precious fins have been sliced away.
 
The scalloped hammerhead is listed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as "vulnerable" globally, while the whitetip is "critically endangered" in the northwestern Atlantic, and "vulnerable" elsewhere.
 
Once the highest level of biomass in the Gulf of Mexico, the whitetip is 99 percent depleted there today, according to marine biologist Julia Baum.
 
Japan led opposition to the four measures, arguing that management of shark populations should be left to regional fisheries groups, not CITES.
 
Conservationists counter that fishing for sharks is currently unregulated.
 
"The problem today is not there is serious mismanagement of trade in sharks, as for tuna, but that there is no management at all," said Sue Lieberman, policy director for the Washington-based Pew Environment Group.
 
The proposals called for listing on CITES' Appendix II, which requires countries to monitor exports and demonstrate that fishing is done in a sustainable manner.
 
The scientific panel of the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) recommend protection for all the species except the spiny dogfish which, along with the porbeagle, was also voted down at the last CITES meeting in 2007.
 
Fished for its meat not its fins, stocks of porbeagle -- which gestates for nine months and can live up to 65 years -- have collapsed to about 10 percent of historic levels in the Mediterranean and the northeast Atlantic.
 
Conservation groups reacted angrily to the three "no" votes.
 
"It appears that science no longer matters," said Elizabeth Griffin of wildlife conservation group Oceana, based in Washington. "CITES is not fulfilling its obligation to protect species threatened by international trade."
 
Gus Sant, a shark expert at wildlife monitoring group TRAFFIC said: "The decision not to list all of these sharks is a conservation catastrophe. The current level of trade in these species is simply not sustainable."
 
Many NGOs said that intensive lobbying by Japan played a critical role in the measures being shot down.
 
"We see clearly now the Japanese motivation for opposing all these marine species proposals," said Anne Schroeer, a Madrid-based economist with Oceana.
 
"For the whales, they say we are catching it traditionally. For the bluefin tuna, they say we are eating it. But for the sharks, there is nothing but pure economic interest."
 
All told, a third of the world's 64 species of pelagic, or open water, sharks face extinction, according to a report issued last June by the IUCN's Shark Specialist Group.
 
 
 
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Recommend
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Send
 
IM Story
 
Print
 
 
 
 
 
 
Related Articles
 
 
8 children stabbed to death at Chinese school AP - 2 hours 4 minutes ago
 
Pakistani militants say no to peace with India AP - 2 hours 13 minutes ago
 
U.S. missile strike kills 4 militants in Pakistan Reuters - 2 hours 36 minutes ago
 
Kawasaki rub salt in Melbourne wounds AFP - Wednesday, March 24
 
China slams Google's bid to defy censors AFP - Wednesday, March 24
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
News Search
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Top Stories
 
 
 
 
WTO rules on epic Airbus-Boeing dispute
Eurozone eyes crunch talks to break Greek stalemate
UN body rejects protection for shark species
Trade protection given to cool water shark
Last Supper is growing by Biblical proportions
 
 
 
 More Top Stories »
 
 
 
    
 
 
 
 
Most Popular
 
 
 
 
Most Viewed
 
Most Recommended
 
 
 
 
With health vote, Obama claims a new place in history
 
Auschwitz attic trove names 'Angel of Death': historian
 
Gene study highlights cancer risk for "never smokers"
 
Last Supper is growing by Biblical proportions
 
Eurozone eyes crunch talks to break Greek stalemate
 
 
 More Most Viewed »
 
 
 
 
 
Experts confirm asteroid wiped out the dinosaurs
 
'Britain's Fritzl' raped daughters for over 25yrs
 
Researchers back cancer-fighting properties of papaya
 
Hollywood stars help prevent suicide after Twitter alert
 
Prince Philip in strip club gaffe
 
 
 More Most Recommended »
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
 
 
 
 
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
 
 
Stars and latest movies
 
 
Best travel destinations
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
More on Yahoo! News
 
 
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
 
Also on Yahoo
 
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
 
Site Highlights
 
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
 
 
 
 Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
  
   
 
 
    
   
 
Other News on Wednesday, 24 March 2010 Netanyahu fears peace talks delay in settlement feud  
Pirates seize British Virgin Islands cargo ship off Oman: EU  
US-TECH Summary  
Eurozone eyes crunch talks to break Greek stalemate  
Clinton calls for new phase in Mexico drug war
|  
U.S. peace push at risk, says Palestinian official  
U.S. says Google on China was a business decision  
France shelves key carbon tax plan  
WTO rules on epic Airbus-Boeing dispute  
Iraq's two main Shi'ite blocs discuss merger  
Netanyahu fears peace talks delay in settlement feud
|  
Russia tasks tycoon Vekselberg with modernisation drive  
ICC prosecutor: Sudan poll like vote under Hitler
|  
Egypt bans international Internet voice calls  
South Africa police fire buckshot at township rioters
|  
Google not guilty in Louis Vuitton case  
Existing Homes Sales Dip In February, But Top Estimates  
UN body rejects protection for shark species  
Winter Music Conference Officially Begins--Dance Music Revelers Rejoice  
Nintendo to launch 3D-capable DS in 2010/11  
FDA Tells Doctors To Stop Using Rotavirus Vaccine With Benign Pig Virus In Children  
Trade protection given to cool water shark  
U.S. peace push at risk, says Palestinian official
|  
TV and Internet use together growing in America  
Last Supper is growing by Biblical proportions  
Justin Currie Announces Upcoming U.S. Tour Starting June  
Sarah Palin Travel Show To Hit Discovery Channel  
Colombia rebels ready for hostage release: lawmaker
|  
Paramore To Head Out On Honda Civic Tour This Summer  
Iran frees Rafsanjani's grandson on bail: report
|  
Whitman Tops Spending, Polls For GOP Gubernatorial Nod  
Kelly Osbourne Joins "Dr. Phil" as Special Correspondent  
Good-hearted Thief Returns Some Stolen Money  
Chris Evans Scores "Captain America" Role  
Officials: US missiles kill 3 in NW Pakistan  
UN body rejects protection for shark species  
Kawasaki rub salt in Melbourne wounds  
China slams Google's bid to defy censors  
Putin, China's Xi vow 'strategic' support in first meeting  
Ex-President Carter urges talks with N.Korea  
Samsung unveils new Galaxy S Android phone
|  
Top US officials in Mexico for talks on drug violence  
Indonesia sees need for more troops in Papua  
Obama signs historic healthcare overhaul into law  
U.S. says Google on China was a business decision
|  
Man stabs, kills 8 children at Chinese school  
Philippine police warn of election attacks  
S.Korea govt seeks approval for $14.6 billion city  
Brad Pitt attends London premiere of superhero film  
Maruti Suzuki hits a million cars a year  
Internet firm in China stops using Google services  
Indonesian police detain 11 Afghan immigrants  
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary  
"Dancing" waltzes to record with Gosselin, Aldrin  
Vodka drinking is top killer of Russians: study  
Alexis Cardenas, a Venezuelan and his violin, aims for Paris  
Telling time with a wristful of dinosaur poo and meteorite  
For World Cup, South Africa's football crafts go industrial  
Controversy heightens over Yemen child marriage ban  
To showcases Hong Kong cinema's ad hoc style  
Brad Pitt attends London premiere of superhero film  
Dancing waltzes to record with Gosselin, Aldrin
|  
Akon denied visa to perform in Sri Lanka
|  
Scream 4 set for 2011 release
|  
Obama, Netanyahu seek to defuse U.S.-Israel tensions  
U.S., Pakistan seek to turn page on caustic ties
|  
Sprint unveils HTC WiMax phone EVO 4G  
Britain kicks out Israeli diplomat in passport row  
Three Rio defendants contest secrets charge: lawyer
|  
Brazil fines Google for not censoring dirty jokes  
Israel may replace Mossad agent expelled by UK: reports
|  
In Chavez's Venezuela, the revolution will be blogged  
Obama, Netanyahu seek to defuse U.S.-Israel tensions
|  
U.S, Mexico eye new phase in drug war
|  
ICC prosecutor: Sudan poll like vote under Hitler  
Third Season Of "Mad Men" Receives DVD, Blu-ray Release  
Russia, China push Iran to change nuclear stance
|  
Friend, Roommate Of Michelle "Bombshell" McGee Gives "Inside Edition" Interview  
Nigerian cabinet nominees include top banker
|  
"Dancing With The Stars" Waltzes Away With Formidable Viewer Ratings  
Schindlers List Selling Online For $2.2 Million  
U.N. missions in some countries broke rules: watchdog
|  
Pay Czar Orders Compensation Cuts At Five TARP Bail Out Firms  
Congress Wants to Control Spread of Drone Technology  
Former Top Israeli Army Brass Call Iran: Godfather Of Terrorist Organizations  
Samsung unveils new Galaxy S Android phone  
Walgreens Q2 Profit Rises On Strong Prescription Drug Sales  
Fire in old Calcutta building kills 24, injures 20  
U.S. Markets Rally On Earnings, Economic Data  
Pakistan comes with specific wish list for U.S.  
Pakistani security forces kill 14 militants in NW  
Climate catastrophe ushered in the dinosaurs:study  
Rio Tinto trial to wrap up in China  
California seeks to suspend Jackson doctor's license  
China TV official pleads guilty to fireworks blaze  
'Rare' fossil of new dinosaur species found in US  
N.Korean leader has chronic kidney failure: expert  
Sprint unveils HTC WiMax phone EVO 4G
|  
Samsung unveils new Galaxy S Android phone
|  
Amnesty tells Malaysia to protect migrant workers  
China newspaper accuses Google of helping U.S. intelligence
|  
Australia examines British evidence against Israel  
Google users report erratic service in Beijing
|  
U.S, Mexico eye new phase in drug war  
Global Weather-Celsius  
Michael Jackson's doctor faces license suspension
|  
Oprah Winfrey settles defamation suit with headmistress
|  
James Cameron blasts Glenn Beck
|  
Film shows Kennedy battle for immigration reform
|  
Evil queen from Sleeping Beauty to star in film
|  
Bindi Irwin follows dad's wild footsteps into film
|  
Sales full-blooded for New Moon DVD
|  
Matisse's aha moment subject of U.S. museum show
|  
NY dealer offers Schindler's List for sale
|  
Shanghai trial of Rio Tinto staff ends, no verdict  
Former Samsung chairman Lee returns to post  
GM's EN-V concept car: auto redo for green future  
NZ dollar eases on soft data; GDP & Greek aid eyed  
Japan's exports log fastest rise in 30 years  
Japan's exports up 45 percent in February  
PAKISTAN  
Nintendo to launch 3D portable game console  
Seoul shares rise; Samsung Elec up,Daewoo Ship falls  
Japan's trade surplus jumps nine-fold in February  
Evil queen from "Sleeping Beauty" to star in film  
Michael Jackson's doctor faces license suspension  
"Avatar's" Blu-ray presales strong, Cameron says  
Oprah Winfrey settles defamation suit with headmistress  
NY dealer offers "Schindler's List" for sale  
Sales full-blooded for "New Moon" DVD  
Zach Braff: "Scrubs" won't return  
Kevin Kline to star in HBO drama series  
Elton John, Lady Gaga join rainforest fundraiser  
From art, to souls, Swiss collector switches sights  
Israel braces for more expulsions in passport row  
Israel, undeterred, to build in East Jerusalem
|  
Iraq militants promise more attacks on U.S. troops  
Fresh Israeli airstrike on Gaza Strip  
High-profile resignation in Irish church abuse scandal
|  
England need 209 to win Bangladesh Test  
China joins big-power talks on Iran sanctions
|  
Samsung unveils new Galaxy S Android phone  
UK cuts debt forecast, sets election stage
|  
Five soldiers killed in latest attacks in Iraq
|  
Struggle for Jerusalem goes on, four decades after war
|  
Saudi says arrests militants planning attacks
|  
Somali pirate killed in cargo ship hijack shooting
|  
2 NATO service members killed in Afghanistan  
Afghan President Karzai seeks help from China  
Cambodia claims killing 88 Thais during 2008-9  
 News  
 News  
Obama, Netanyahu fail to resolve settlement row  
After century-long fight US enacts health reforms  
Google still censoring for some China customers  
Shanghai trial of Rio Tinto staff ends, no verdict  
Inside a global cybercrime ring
|  
Indonesian landslide kills at least 3, injures 11  
Pentagon eyes more "humane" enforcement of gay ban  
Rights group: Sri Lanka journalist still missing  
Google to phase out China search partnerships  
Amnesty Int'l: Malaysia should protect migrants  
E.Asia launches $120bln currency swap pact  
S.Korea bonds flat: PM voices caution on exit  
Former Samsung boss Lee returns as chairman  
Sarah Palin 'travel show coming to Discovery'  
Indonesian prisons a breeding ground for terror: analyst  
Sarah Palin 'travel show coming to Discovery'  
R&B star Akon falls foul of Buddhist monks in S.Lanka  
 News  
 News  
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro  
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found  
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever  
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production  
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time  
AMD to Start Production of piledriver  
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs  
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia  
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air  
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch  
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent  
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up  
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform  
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis  
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets  
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights