Approximately 20 million Blue Sharks are killed each year, propelling Samoa and Sri Lanka to jointly propose to place the species on a special global list asking countries to conserve them and protect their habitat.

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is holding its Twelfth Conference of the Parties in Manila, Philippines next week which Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Palau and Samoa will be attending. This monumental gathering is held every three years.

The CMS had 124 Parties as of July this year, uniting to protect migratory species placed under two different lists. Appendix 1 lists migratory species that are endangered and, Appendix 2 lists migratory species which have an unfavourable conservation status requiring international agreements for their conservation and management.

At the CMS COP12 Samoa and Sri Lanka are proposing that the Blue Shark be placed on Appendix 2 in a show of proactive conservation.

“The Blue Shark is the most commonly caught large shark species in the world. While its reproductive rate is higher than that of many shark species, given the numbers that are killed each year, we congratulate Samoa for addressing a conservation problem before it is too late,” said Ms Juney Ward, the Shark and Ray Officer of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP).

“We are also pleased that fellow Pacific countries of Fiji and Palau are supporting this proposal and we hope to see more countries support the listing on Appendix II.”

SPREP is attending the CMS COP12 to provide technical support and advice to the SPREP Member delegates at this key event that will help ensure the conservation of migratory species crucial to the Pacific islands.

Mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and one insect are listed on the Convention’s two Appendices, including many whales and dolphins, bats, gorillas, antelopes, albatrosses, raptors, waterbirds, sharks, sturgeons, marine turtles and the Monarch Butterfly.

“This is the only convention that looks at migratory species, and it’s important because a lot of our species are migratory in nature. As they cross multiple jurisdictions, the Convention helps ensure that we all work together to protect and conserve them,” said Ward.

“As it meets once every three years, it’s crucial that our Pacific island region is well represented and our Pacific voice is heard.”

The Pacific region will be holding two different events over the one week, to highlight the Pacific Whale Campaign as well as Pacific Shark Conservation. The island region will also be showcased with a booth, and representation at the High Level Segment through SPREP’s Director General, Mr Kosi Latu.

“We’ll also be providing support at the national level so whatever is agreed to here, on the global stage, will transcend into action on the ground within our Pacific islands and communities,” said  Ward.