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Endangered sharks and rays get more protection

Endangered Species - Level 4

Eighteen threatened species of sharks and rays will be better protected. Countries signed to the CITES animal and plant protection treaty agreed on greater protection for these marine creatures from commercial fishing. The protected species include the world's fastest shark (the mako shark), wedgefishes and guitarfishes. A conservationist wants to ensure they continue to be around for future generations.

CITES was established in 1973 and is signed by 182 different states. The focus of the weekend meeting was on reducing the number of sharks killed each year by commercial fishing. A conservation group said as many as 273 million sharks are killed annually. Forty countries said there was no evidence to show that the mako was in danger as a result of fishing. The global shark fin market is believed to be worth over $1.2 billion.

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Endangered Species - Level 5

There is agreement on protecting 18 threatened species of sharks and rays. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) agreed to give greater protection for the marine creatures from commercial fishing. Many of the threatened species are hunted for their meat and fins. Some of the protected species include the world's fastest shark (the mako shark), wedgefishes and guitarfishes. The Wildlife Conservation Society said: "Sharks are vulnerable....Momentum is clearly building to ensure that these species...continue to be around for future generations."

CITES is an international treaty established in 1973 signed by 182 different states to protect endangered animals and plants. The focus of the weekend meeting was on protecting sharks. The number of sharks killed each year by commercial fishing is estimated at 100 million. A conservation group said this could be as high as 273 million. Forty countries disagreed that the mako shark was in danger because there was not enough evidence to show it was disappearing as a result of fishing. The global shark fin market is thought to be worth over $1.2 billion.

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Endangered Species - Level 6

There is international agreement on the protection of 18 threatened species of sharks and rays. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) agreed on Sunday to give greater protection for the marine creatures from actions such as commercial fishing and hunting. Many of the threatened species are hunted for their meat and fins. Some of the species being protected are the world's fastest shark (the mako shark), wedgefishes and guitarfishes. Luke Warwick of the Wildlife Conservation Society said: "Sharks are vulnerable wildlife....Momentum is clearly building to ensure that these species, which have been around for 400 million years, continue to be around for future generations."

CITES is an international treaty established in 1973 to protect endangered animals and plants. It has been signed by 182 different states, plus the European Union. There was not widespread agreement at the weekend's meeting. The focus of the meeting was on protecting sharks. The number of sharks killed each year by commercial fishing is estimated at 100 million. One conservation group said this figure could be as high as 273 million. Forty countries disagreed that the mako shark was in danger. They argued that there was not enough evidence to show that the mako was disappearing as a result of fishing. The global shark fin market is estimated to be over $1.2 billion.

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson