A precedent is being proposed at the 11th Conference of the Parties (COP) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Gigiri, Kenya, April 10-20, 2000. That precedent is the inclusion of commercially fished marine species under CITES’ Appendices.

To date, consideration of such species by CITES has been largely speculative, although in 1994, CITES adopted Resolution Conf. 9.17 directing the Animals Committee to collect information on the biology and trade in sharks in order to assess their status. In keeping with that action, the species in question are shark species.

Three proposals to include certain shark species in either Appendix I or II are before the delegates to COP 11. The White Shark (Prop. 11.48 by the United States and Australia) is proposed for inclusion in Appendix I. The Whale Shark (Prop. 11.47 by the United States) and Basking Shark (Prop. 11.49 by Great Britain and Northern Ireland) are proposed for inclusion in Appendix II.

The very discussion of including commercially fished marine species under CITES’ auspices is highly controversial in itself. Proponents offer CITES as the proper forum for conservation of such species largely because Appendix II listing requires member nations to monitor international trade in listed species versus the voluntary nature of management under the United Nations Food & Agriculture Organization (FAO).