Great white sharksare one of the world's most feared predators, but a sharp decline in their populations means the United States will be supporting international trade restrictions to protect the species, Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Fish and Wildlife and Parks Craig Manson said today.
Manson will head the U.S. delegation to the 13th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Tradein the Threatened and Endangered Species (CITES) in Bangkok from Oct. 2 to14. CITES is an international agreement signed by more than160 nations to regulate global trade in certain wild animals and plants that are or may become threatened with extinction due to commercial trade.
Like many species of sharks, great whites have been over-harvested, especially for their fins, which are used in soups and medicines.
"People have a natural terror of "Jaws," but great white sharks and many other plants and animals are the species that are truly threatened," Manson said. "By helping regulate sustainable wildlife trade while working to curb poaching and shut down black markets, CITES applies the power of international partnership and cooperation to conserving these species."
In addition to supporting the proposal by Australia and Madagascar to limit trade in great white sharks, the United States has submitted proposals to protect three Asian turtle species,the painted bunting (aNorth American songbird), the humphead wrasse (a coral reef fish) and four species of Asian yew (a tree).
The United States also is proposing to ease export restrictions on American bald eagles, reflecting their dramatically improved population status in the lower 48 states. The proposal would bring the eagle's CITES status into line with its status as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. Since eagles are protected under a number of U.S. laws, the only practical effect of the U.S. proposal would be to make it easier for Native American tribes in the United States and Canada to exchange eagles feathers and parts for religious purposes.
Manson made the announcement of the tentative U.S. negotiating positions for the conference as part of a Federal Register Notice being published in advance of the conference. These positions include:
