2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the entry into force of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and 40 years since movie goers were introduced to Hollywood’s portrayal of the great white shark in Jaws.

Within days of the release of Steven Spielberg’s blockbuster movie‘ Jaws’ in June 1975, CITES entered into force.

“Today, bringing certain sharks, including the great white shark, under CITES trade controls is emblematic of the massive changes experienced since Jaws first terrified beach goers. We now realize that sharks have more to fear from us than we have to fear from them and CITES has been called upon to ensure that these magnificent animals are not over exploited through international trade” said John E. Scanlon, Secretary-General of CITES.

Jaws is said to have perpetuated negative stereotypes and public misunderstandings about the role of sharks and their behaviour. These perceptions are however changing, especially in light of the science on the unsustainable harvesting of some shark species that could drive them to extinction.

It is within this context of changing perceptions and better science that CITES has intervened to bring eight species of sharks under CITES trade controls, including five species being included under CITES in 2013, to ensure that any international trade in these species is legal, sustainable and traceable.

A recent study on the management of shark fisheries mentions CITES as the only legally binding measure in place to date.

In recognition of the entry into force of CITES on 1 July 1975, the CITES Secretariat is today launching two publications that further highlight its work to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of sharks, namely:

• a booklet on “Implementing CITES listings of sharks and manta rays 2013-2016”, which gives an overview of the work undertaken so far as well as plans for the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in 2016 (CoP17, South Africa);
• and a digital leaflet, containing the outcome summary of a recent study commissioned by CITES on the capacity assessment study conducted in of selected countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Species of sharks are but a few of the 35,000+ species of wild animals and plants listed under the Convention to ensure that international trade does not threaten their survival, recognizing the need to maintain a species throughout its range at a level consistent with its role in the ecosystem in which it occurs.

Special event being co-hosted by Germany and CITES, with CMS and WCS on 30 June

A high level side event is taking place in Bonn at the 39th Session of the World Heritage Committee co-sponsored by Germany and the CITES Secretariat, together with the Convention on Migratory Species and World Conservation Society, on the threats posed by poaching and illegal trade in wildlife to World Heritage sites across Africa and the collaborative efforts that are underway to combat these serious crimes. These threats were highlighted by UNESCO Director-General Bokova and Secretary-General Scanlon in a joint oped published in June 2013. The side event follows decisions taken at the 38th Session of the World Heritage Committee that called for the World Heritage Centre to strengthen its cooperation with the CITES Secretariat.