QUITO, Ecuador, November 9, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ - Environmentalists are rejoicing as 21 species of sharks and rays have been included in the Appendix of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) which was officially endorsed today during the final plenary session of the Conference of Parties (CoP). With the listing, member states agreed to provide strict protection to reef mantas (reef manta rays), 9 species of devil ray (devil manta rays), and 5 species of sawfishes (saw rays), as well as committing to work together internationally to protect three species of thresher shark (commonly known as monkey/mouse shark), two species of hammerhead shark (hammerhead shark), and silky shark (kejen shark).

"We are delighted by the extraordinary commitment expressed by CMS to safeguard some of the world's most threatened shark and ray species, including the critically endangered sawfish," said Sonja Fordham of Shark Advocates International, Ocean Foundation." For the first time, progress in conservation efforts to protect the number of shark and manta ray species more than tripled."

The European Union proposed the inclusion of the thresher shark on the protection list. The listing of the silky shark was proposed by Egypt. Ecuador and Costa Rica jointly proposed 2 species of hammerhead shark. Kenya proposed sawfish species while reef manta and all devil ray species were proposed by Fiji. Fifty-nine of the 120 CMS members participated in this CoP.

"Mantas and devil ray are highly vulnerable to overexploitation, typically having only 1 offspring in some years." explained Ian Campbell from WWF on behalf of Fiji." Appendix I requires CMS members to prohibit the capture of reef mantas and all species of devil ray as a reflection of a responsible approach and prevention of vulnerability to extinction of these species." Appendix I listings in the CMS affirm member states' commitment to strict protection while Appendix II listings encourage international cooperation on species shared by several countries. Rays (including saw rays) are included in both lists, while 6 shark species were added to Appendix II.

"From the hammerhead in the Galapagos to the thresher in the Philippines, sharks are an alluring attraction for divers." said Ania Budziak of Project AWARE." With increasing recognition of the economic benefits of tourism, the voices of divers are key in the protection of these iconic species."

When the agreement to list sawfish, devil ray, hammerhead, and thresher shark was reached by the CMS committee, Peru and Chile had expressed reservations about listing silky shark on the CMS Appendix II list. However, in the final session, the two countries did not voice their opposition, and an agreement for inclusion was reached.

"In the end, we can't express our delight that all the proposals for the inclusion of sharks and rays on the CMS list have been approved, but we also emphasize that the benefits of inclusion depend on real follow-up by CMS members." said Amie Brautigam of the Wildlife Conservation Society. "We urge States to translate the great concern for sharks and rays shown at this historic meeting into leadership on national protections and regional restrictions on (shark and ray) fisheries."

CMS members also approved a resolution encouraging improved data collection and fisheries management for sharks and rays.

Source: Shark Advocates International Source.