The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is in the home stretch. A total of 62 proposals involving more than 500 species are being considered during CoP17, which is taking place in Johannesburg South Africa. The various proposals are designed to increase or decrease controls on international trade in animals and plants. Amongst the 62 proposals, six concern marine species, and all are scheduled for discussion today. The six marine proposals are as follows:
Proposal 42: Silky Shark (Carcharhinus falciformis)
Proposal 43: Thresher Sharks (Alopias spp.)
Proposal 44: Devil Ray (Mobula spp.)
Proposal 46: Banggai Cardinalfish (Pterapogon kauderni)
Proposal 47: Clarion Angelfish (Holacanthus clarionensis)
Proposal 48: Nautilus (Nautilidae spp.)
All six proposals are to include the species in question on Appendix II. A CITES Appendix II listing would mean that trade in the species would be controlled in order to avoid utilization incompatible with their survival. The CITES Secretariat recommends that Proposal 42 (silky shark), Proposal 44 (devil ray), Proposal 46 (Banggai cardinalfish), and Proposal 48 (nautilus) be adopted and that Proposals 43 (thresher shark) and 47 (clarion angelfish) be rejected.
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