Sustainable Trade in Sharks: Action Plan for North America
Sustainable Trade in Sharks: Action Plan for North America
Description
This document is one of a set of five action plans that were prepared as part of a project by the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to promote legal, sustainable and traceable trade in selected North American species that are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The five action plans were produced under the guidance of the CITES Authorities of Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Eight shark species, from six different genera, were selected for this project and designated as “priority shark species.” Information was compiled for the species as a group, including: the impact of trade on conservation and livelihoods; completion of CITES non-detriment findings (NDFs); and identification challenges for CITES enforcement. The eight species were also assessed as to their distribution, conservation status, trade and commercial pricing. A total of 17 recommended actions are proposed to improve cooperation among North American stakeholders, expand collection and analysis of shark fisheries and trade data, increase public awareness, update shark fisheries management in Mexico, and build enforcement capacity. These actions were developed based on the information compiled for this document and from consultation with stakeholders.
Additional Information