Your Signature Saves a Species from Extinction - and here's the proof!

This is a Great White that I had the AWESOME opportunity to meet face to face at Seal Island in South AFRICA

You did it! Five species of highly traded sharks, both manta rays and one species of sawfish have been added to CITES classification for protection.

ONE signature does make a difference so don't ever think yours doesn't!

This historical victory was accomplished ONE signature at a time.

Sending out eternal gratitude to Project Aware for rallying 135,000 shark petition signatures and 245,000 letters sent directly to government delegates from 170 countries at CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

More from the Project Aware website:

http://www.projectaware.org/update/we-did-it-celebrating-historic-decisions-sharks-and-rays

The oceanic whitetip, porbeagle, three species of hammerheads and both manta rays – all classified as threatened on IUCN’s Red List – are now added to CITES Appendix II. “This is a significant and historic achievement for marine species in general, specifically manta rays which are the first Elasmobranch species to be listed under CITES on the first attempt,” said Budziak. “Scalloped hammerheads, among the most endangered and most commonly taken in illegal fishing operations for their valuable fins, received a surprising majority.”

Since 2010, when eight shark species were declined CITES listing, the scuba diving community joined with shark advocates around the world, have campaigned for this moment. Armed with more than 135,000 shark petition signatures and 245,000 letters sent direct to CITES delegates, Project AWARE has taken every opportunity to put CITES protections front and center on government agendas. Along with our partners, we’ve met with CITES representatives, participated in public consultation processes and worked on shark protection issues at every turn including the IUCN World Conservation Congress, meeting of the signatories to the CMS MOU on Shark Conservation and CITES preparatory workshops in Mozambique and Senegal.

“This is an enormous victory, not only for the vulnerable species and ocean ecosystems, but for the coastal communities globally whose tourism-based economies rely on healthy, thriving shark and ray populations,” said Alex Earl, Project AWARE’s Executive Director. “It’s also a significant achievement for the marine protection movement as a whole. This conference was the very first to consider an unprecedented number of shark and ray proposals and there has never been stronger momentum for their protections than now.”

What’s next for the campaign to protect sharks and rays? “We now urge all Parties to CITES to work swiftly on implementing the obligations to ensure sustainable international trade,” said Alex Earl. “But for the moment, we celebrate the significance of these historic decisions.”