Pew Environment Group at CITES

Fact Sheet Read time:
Projects: Global Tuna Conservation & Global Shark Conservation
Pew Environment Group at CITES

The 15th meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) concluded in March 2010 in Doha, Qatar. Pew attended the international wildlife conference alongside government representatives, conservation organizations and members of industry to advocate for CITES protection for the Atlantic bluefin tuna and eight shark species–including the distinctive hammerhead sharks.

Up to 73 million sharks are killed annually for their fins. In addition, populations of vulnerable sharks such as the porbeagle and spiny dogfish are killed in large numbers for their meat. A number of other shark species are threatened, with declines of more than 90 percent.

The Atlantic bluefin tuna is one of the most majestic fish in the sea. Studies show that the species has declined more than 80 percent since 1970, and is continuing to plummet, due to overfishing and international trade.

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) was held in Doha, Qatar from March 13–25, 2010. CITES, with 175 member countries, regulates or prohibits international trade in endangered and threatened plants and animals. This was the first CITES Conference of the Parties held in the Middle East.

Atlantic bluefin tuna was proposed for CITES Appendix I, which would have prohibited international commercial trade in the species. Three hammerhead sharks, oceanic whitetips, spiny dogfish, porbeagles, sandbar and dusky sharks were proposed for a CITES Appendix II listing, which would have closely monitored and controlled international trade.

The Pew Environment Group supported these proposals and advocated for their adoption in Doha. Unfortunately, the CITES meetings concluded without providing any trade protections whatsoever for severely depleted Atlantic bluefin tuna and four vulnerable species of sharks – scalloped hammerhead, oceanic white tip, porbeagle and spiny dogfish.

You can also:
America’s Overdose Crisis
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
Quick View
America’s Overdose Crisis

America’s Overdose Crisis

Sign up for our five-email course explaining the overdose crisis in America, the state of treatment access, and ways to improve care

Sign up
RELATED
Topics
Ocean Conservation
Tags
International policy
Projects
Global Tuna Conservation Global Shark Conservation

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

A large group of people in formal or traditional attire stands together on a stage, with a digital background depicting marine life and the large text “WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.”

Article

April 10, 2024 WTO Needs to Redouble Its Effort on Fishing Subsidies
A man in a winter hat and sunglasses kneels on a rocky shoreline in front of a campfire, holding a metal mug with gloved hands. Behind him, in the water, a motorboat is moored to the shore. Cliffs rise on both sides of the water.

Article

April 4, 2024 Why Newfoundland’s South Coast Fjords Are Sacred
A landscape with mountains and clouds. BLM Rule Puts Conservation, Other Land Uses on Equal Footing

MORE FROM PEW

A presentation being given by a businesswoman to a group of participants at a business conference. Four Plan Features Can Boost 'Retirement Readiness'
An illustration of a couple holding hands walking away from an outline of houses behind them Pathways to Homeownership: Housing in America
A photograph of City Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Philadelphia to Address Pressing Policy Challenges
A bright blue T-cell infected by HIV is engulfed by hundreds of yellow virions. Pew Researcher Seeks to Crack Code on HIV Cure
Composite image of modern city network communication concept

Learn the Basics of Broadband from Our Limited Series

Sign up for our four-week email course on Broadband Basics
Quick View

How does broadband internet reach our homes, phones, and tablets? What kind of infrastructure connects us all together? What are the major barriers to broadband access for American communities?

Pills illustration
Pills illustration

What Is Antibiotic Resistance—and How Can We Fight It?

Sign up for our four-week email series The Race Against Resistance.
Quick View
Pills illustration

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as “superbugs,” are a major threat to modern medicine. But how does resistance work, and what can we do to slow the spread? Read personal stories, expert accounts, and more for the answers to those questions in our four-week email series: Slowing Superbugs.