BANGKOK (THAILAND)-35 countries worldwide have now submitted seven species of vulnerable sharks and manta rays for consideration for protection next year under an international treaty concerned with regulating wildlife trade.
The recommendations include porbeagle and oceanic whitetip sharks, three species of hammerhead sharks, and two types of manta rays.
Governments met the deadline today and formally submitted their proposals for the meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in March 2013. For nearly 40 years, CITES has shielded thousands of plants and animals from overexploitation through international trade, and the treaty is widely considered one of the best-enforced international conservation agreements.
The 176 members of CITES will analyze these proposals before a final vote in Bangkok in March 2013.
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