International Trade Endangers Sharks - Take Action to Help

[Omaha Steve]

Just click the link:
https://secure2.convio.net/toc/site/Advocacy?pagename=homepage&page=UserAction&id=343&autologin=true

Your help is needed to support sound proposals limiting unsustainable trade in imperiled species of sharks and rays. Proposals to protect sawfish, spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) will be considered in June by 170 CITES member countries. These proposals are vital to reducing extinction risk for these vulnerable and depleted species, but they face an uphill battle and need strong public support, particularly in the United States.

Your voice is needed during this CITES comment period to balance industry pressure to oppose CITES action for sharks. Please write to the Fish and Wildlife Service before April 23 to express your strong support for passage of all three shark and ray proposals.



International trade in sawfish, spiny dogfish and porbeagle sharks is endangering the future of these vulnerable, under-protected species.

The fins of shark-like rays known as sawfish are highly valued for use in the Asian delicacy shark fin soup while their remarkable tooth-studded, blade-like snouts are used in traditional medicines.

European demand for spiny dogfish meat, consumed as fish and chips in the U.K. and as beer garden snacks in Germany, is driving the serial depletion of populations around the world. The meat of porbeagle sharks is among the most prized shark meat in the world. The IUCN classifies both species as Endangered in the U.S. Atlantic and Critically Endangered off Europe.

The U.S. government is under tremendous pressure to oppose the shark listings, particularly that for spiny dogfish. But, the support of the U.S. is very important because CITES proposals need a two-thirds majority of voting countries to succeed. Lack of U.S. support for these proposals may jeopardize the future of these imperiled species. The U.S. has only one vote, but significant influence over other nations.

Please take action by writing to the Fish and Wildlife Service before April 23 and expressing your strong support for passage of all three shark and ray proposals.

Sincerely,



Kathleen McGoldrick
Vice President, Constituency and Outreach