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Sharks and rays (Elasmobranchii spp.)

Document type
Decision
Reference number
19.224
Date
Nov 25, 2022
Source
UNEP, InforMEA
Status
Active
Subject
Wild species & ecosystems
Treaty
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Mar 3, 1973)
Meeting
Nineteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties
Website
cites.org
Abstract

Decision directed to Secretariat

The Secretariat shall:

a) issue a Notification to the Parties, inviting Parties to:

i) in accordance with Resolution Conf 12.6 (Rev. CoP18) on Conservation and management of sharks, provide concise (with 200 word executive summary, if the report exceeds four pages) new information on their shark and ray conservation and management activities, in particular:

A. the making of NDFs;

B. the making of legal acquisition findings (LAFs);

C. the identification and monitoring of CITES-listed shark-products in trade, in source, transit, and consumer Parties;

D. recording stockpiles of commercial and/or pre-Convention shark parts and derivatives for CITES Appendix-II elasmobranch species and controlling the entry of these stocks into trade; and

E. capacity building needs to assist developing countries and small island developing states with reporting requirements; and

ii) share with the Secretariat their non-detriment findings (NDFs) and conversion factors used when estimating catch live weight through converting recorded shark landings and trade, where available, to post in the sharks and rays web portal;

iii) in accordance with Resolution Conf. 11.17 (Rev. CoP19) on National reports, highlight any questions, concerns or difficulties Parties are having in writing or submitting documentation on authorized trade data (e.g. which units are used in reporting trade) for the CITES Trade Database;

b) provide information from the CITES Trade Database on commercial trade in CITES-listed sharks and rays since 2010, sorted by species and, if possible, by product;

c) invite non-Party, intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organization observers to support Parties by providing concise information related to the above;

d) disseminate new or existing guidance identified by the Standing Committee on the control and monitoring of stockpiles of shark parts and derivatives pursuant to Decision 19.226, paragraph b);

e) share information concerning* capacity building needs of developing countries including the possibility of training workshops; and

f) collate this information for the consideration of the Animals Committee and the Standing Committee.

* The Secretariat added “share information concerning” to provide grammatical clarity but notes that these three words were not agreed by the Conference of the Parties.