Endangered species, including several varieties of shark, could soon be protected under a new agreement between several governments.
The Conference of Parties (CoP), meeting in Ecuador, developed the Appendices of the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS), a treaty which will protect many species currently threatened with extinction. All three species of thresher shark are included in the pact, along with the silky shark, and a pair of hammerhead species. Along with sharks, the agreement aims to protect nine forms of devil rays, five varieties of sawfishes and the reef manta.
"We are elated by the overwhelming commitment expressed by CMS Parties for safeguarding some of the world's most imperiled shark and ray species, including the highly endangered sawfishes. Today's unprecedented actions more than triple the number of shark and ray species slated for enhanced conservation initiatives," Sonja Fordham from Shark Advocates International, managed by the Ocean Foundation, said.
A total of 120 nations participated in the discussions which led up to this potentially historic international treaty. Of these, 59 proposed additions to the environmental pact. The European Union (EU) proposed protecting thresher sharks, while the silky shark was added to the list by negotiators from Egypt.
Two appendices were developed for the agreement, which each provide different levels of protection for listed species. Appendix one strictly prohibits hunting of the endangered species by nations participating in the agreement. The six species of sharks named in the pact are listed in appendix two, which calls on governments to conserve and protect species, while sharing resources.
Negotiations on the new agreement took place over six days, resulting in 31 new species being granted additional legal protections. Just one species proposed for protection was denied by the 900 negotiators taking part in the talks.
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) managed the talks, and provided the legal basis for the agreement between nations.
"International Agreements, such as the CMS, work on behalf of citizens and nations across the world who wish to conserve and protect our natural heritage. They are an expression of our shared commitment to uniting nations in pursuit of a common goal - a global environment in which the pursuit of human development does not come at the expense of our natural world," Achim Steiner, UN Under-Secretary-General and executive director of the UNEP, said.
The impact of renewable energy on wildlife was also addressed, for the first time, in this newest pact. The agreement directs nations to take certain precautions when constructing new windmills, dams and solar panels to protect animals in the wild.
