Watch this short video of Richard Branson urging world leaders to support sharks at this year’s CITES CoP19.
Protections for hammerheads, guitarfish, and requiem sharks will bring 90% of the shark fin trade under CITES trade regulation. Next week, vote yes for sharks! World leaders are meeting in Panama now to decide which endangered species to protect.
Media Release:
SIR RICHARD BRANSON CALLS ON WORLD LEADERS TO PROTECT SHARKS
AS THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR CRITICAL VOTE AT CITES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: TORONTO (November 14, 2022) — Over 180 Delegates are meeting at CITES
CoP19 with a rare opportunity to protect highly endangered and threatened sharks globally. In advance
of this week’s meetings in Panama, Virgin Founder Sir Richard Branson delivered an urgent appeal to
world leaders, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, to vote in favor of the critical shark
proposals.
“We are raising our voices for the oceans and we are raising our voices for the sharks – and now it is
time for our leaders to listen,” urged Richard Branson. Over the weekend, Branson’s video was viewed
by thousands. His urgent call to action helped to bring in last minute signatures to an online petition with
support from now over 130,000 concerned citizens.
Three CITES proposals would regulate the trade of requiem, guitarfish and hammerhead families of
sharks and rays – an important and necessary move to avoid population extinctions. Requiem sharks
alone make up the majority of the shark fin and meat trade. As one of the least regulated families, this
family of sharks also are the most threatened with 68% of requiem sharks already listed as Endangered
and Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
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