Sharks
The Species
Eight shark species were selected as priority species: Carcharhinus longimanus, Carcharodon carcharias, Cetorhinus maximus, Lamna nasus, Rhincodon typus, Sphyrna lewini, S. mokarran and S. zygaena.
The threat of overexploitation for international trade is the principal reason each of these species has been listed in Appendix II of CITES. All priority species are listed as either Vulnerable or Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Carcharodon carcharias, C. maximus, L. nasus and S. zygaena occur in Canadian waters. However, C. carcharias occurs only sporadically, and S. zygaena is rare. Live specimens of C. carcharias are periodically observed in Atlantic Canada, but all records of C. carcharias on the Pacific coast of Canada pertain to beached specimens found on the shores of Haida Gwaii (Queen Charlotte Islands). Excepting L. nasus, each of the priority shark species occurs in Mexican waters, although C. maximus is exceedingly rarely found. All of the priority shark species are found in US waters. Only three species (C. carcharias, C. maximus and S. zygaena) have ever been found in the waters of all three countries.
Action Plan
Sustainable Trade in Sharks: Action Plan for North America
Priority actions
Compilation of species-specific data on catch and fishing efforts, with emphasis on CITES-listed shark speciesDevelopment and distribution of a compendium of species-specific shark data (e.g., biological-fisheries aspects, composition of captures, the existing reporting from the main ports of trade, and data compilation and analysis) and development of an outline of a capacity building strategy for CITES-listed shark species in Mexico, including information on capacity building needs from the main fishing communities and relevant stakeholders of CITES-listed shark species in Mexico. |
Trinational training workshopA multi-agency trinational training workshop for enforcement officers will be sponsored on: recognizing different shark products in trade; fundamentals of the international shark fin trade; trade law enforcement scenarios in North America; recognizing shark fins at different stages of processing; distinguishing fins of adults and juveniles of CITES species; addressing high-volume shipments; and selecting samples for forensic analysis. |
Their threat
Sharks are primarily traded as parts, pieces and derivatives—including meat, fins, teeth, jaws—and as ingredients in health supplements and pharmaceuticals. Fins are the most valuable product for international trade. The identification of shark fins is a challenge for border officers and a significant challenge to the implementation of CITES.
priority species
| Carcharhinus longimanus | Oceanic whitetip shark |
| Carcharodon carcharias | Great white shark, white pointer |
| Cetorhinus maximus | Basking shark |
| Lamna nasus | Porbeagle shark, mackerel shark |
| Rhincodon typus | Whale shark |
| Sphyrna lewini | Scalloped hammerhead shark |
| Sphyrna mokarran | Great hammerhead shark |
| Sphyrna zygaena | Smooth hammerhead shark |