For Immediate Release: November 15, 2002

Whale Shark Wins International Protection
Nations vote to protect world’s largest fish

Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) extended the first-ever international protection to a shark species by voting today to protect the whale shark under Appendix II. The listing, which was proposed by the Philippines and India, gives critical support to whale shark conservation by regulating trade in whale shark parts. Whale sharks are primarily threatened by overfishing to supply international trade. "CITES protection is a major step forward for whale shark conservation," said Elizabeth Murdock, Manager of WildAid’s Shark Conservation Program. "International protection is critical to the conservation of this rare and highly migratory species. CITES can now do its much-needed part by regulating international trade and ensuring that trade does not threaten the whale shark’s survival." The whale shark is the largest fish on Earth, reaching up to 20 meters in length and weighing up to 34 tons. It feeds by filtering plankton and other small organisms through its gills, making it one of only three known species of large, filter-feeding sharks. Whale sharks are long-lived (60 to 100 years), slow to mature (at 30 years) and reproduce. Whale shark meat has recently emerged as a delicacy in Taiwan the world’s largest market for the meat. Annual sales more than doubled in just two years from 1998 to 2000, while demand for shark fin soup in Asia has also increased pressure on whale sharks: Their huge fins, which retail for thousands of dollars each, are sold for soup and displayed in restaurants in Singapore, China and Taiwan. While demand has been increasing in Taiwan, reported whale shark catches there have declined by 60-70% in the past few years, leading to unsustainable whale shark fishing in other areas and transforming small, subsistence-level fisheries into large-scale efforts supplying international trade. In the Philippines and India, catches fell dramatically due to overfishing before whale sharks were protected in these countries. But recent confiscations of illegal shipments of the meat, bound for Taiwan and Hong Kong, indicate that poaching remains a threat to this gentle giant. The resolution to include whale sharks under Appendix II passed with 81 votes, achieving the necessary two-thirds majority by two votes. The basking shark, the second largest living fish, was also approved for Appendix II today, with 82 supporting votes. "This listing is a tremendous victory," said Victor Wu, Shark Campaigner for WildAid. "The Parties sent a clear message to the world today that whale sharks are far more valuable alive than dead—and that their future depends upon our actions today." Whale shark tourism brings millions of dollars annually to areas such as Thailand (US$3 million; Phuket only), Belize (US$1.45 million) and Australia (US$6.99 million), all of which have protected the fish in local waters. These annual revenues generate far more than a one-time catch of the scarce fish. WildAid is a leading non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating illegal trade in threatened wildlife and protecting wildlife habitat through effective and sustainable solutions on a local and global scale. Headquartered in San Francisco, WildAid has offices in Washington D.C., London, Vladivostok, Bangkok, Phnom Penh and the Galapagos Islands. For still photos, please contact Kari Gabrielson at gabrielson@wildaid.org. ### WildAid Contacts: In Santiago: Elizabeth Murdock, Program Manager, (09) 170-5468 or murdock@wildaid.org Victor Wu, Shark Campaigner, (09) 170-5468 or wu@wildaid.org San Francisco (USA): Peter Knights, Executive Director, knights@wildaid.org (1) 415-254-3174