Australian waters also serve as a refuge or “lifeboat” for 45 species that are threatened in other parts of the world such as the Giant Guitarfish and the Spotted Eagle Ray.
Habitat adaptation drives evolution of guitarfish
A new study has found that populations of sharks quickly evolve to adapt to their geographic habitats, creating new genetic strains of the species.
Rhino rays receive overwhelming support for new trade regulations
In what conservation groups are calling a major win, governments from around the world have voted to regulate the international trade in two species of mako sharks, six giant guitarfish species, and 10 species of wedgefish. All 18 species have now been formally approved for listing on Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade […]
CITES Conference results in new protection for sharks
More than a dozen new species of sharks received additional protections after the 18th Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora Conference of the Parties held this week in Geneva, Switzerland. “Previous successful listing of shark and ray species means there is building momentum for CITES to provide protections and inspire fisheries […]
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species keeps growing
More than 28,000 species around the world are threatened, according to the Red List of Threatened Species compiled by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The list, updated on Thursday night, has assessed the extinction risk of almost 106,000 species and found more than a quarter are in trouble. While recent headline-grabbing […]
Mako sharks, guitarfish may get additional protections
The Mexican government will back an effort to add both shortfall and long fin mako sharks to to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora when the group meets during its annual summit in 2019. Additionally, the governments of Senegal and Sri Lanka announced they will support similar inclusion of […]
Sharks big winners at migrating species convention
Whale sharks were among the 34 migratory species that were included in a proposal by the Convention on Migratory Species, the world’s largest wildlife conference, during its recent meetings in October. Blue sharks, dusky sharks, angel sharks and guitarfish were among those receiving additional protections. The convention included representatives from 125 countries in South America, Asia, Europe, Africa, […]
