Urging countries to conserve and protect Blue Sharks, delegates from Samoa and Sri Lanka are defending the future of the migratory species at a conference on conserving wild animals held in Manila, Philippines from October 23-28.

The 12^th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) is attended by Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, Palau and Samoa who are parties to the convention.

Although Blue Sharks have a higher reproductive rate than many other shark species, around 20 million are killed each year.

Ms Juney Ward, Shark and Ray Officer of the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP), said that the Blue Shark is the most commonly caught large shark species in the world.

“We congratulate Samoa for addressing a conservation problem before it is too late,” she said.

In July this year, the CMS placed migratory species that need protection under two different lists; Appendix 1 for endangered migratory species, and Appendix 2 for migratory species with unfavourable conservation status.

Samoa and Sri Lanka are calling for countries to be more proactive and commit to placing Blue Sharks on Appendix 2.

“We are also pleased that fellow Pacific countries of Fiji and Palau are supporting this proposal and we hope to see more countries support the listing on Appendix II,” said Ms Ward.

Mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and one insect are listed on the Convention’s two appendices, including many whales, dolphins, bats, gorillas, antelopes, albatrosses, raptors, waterbirds, sharks, sturgeons, marine turtles and the Monarch Butterfly.

“This is the only convention that looks at migratory species, and it’s important because a lot of our species are migratory in nature. As they cross multiple jurisdictions, the Convention helps ensure that we all work together to protect and conserve them,” said Ms Ward.

She added that the CMS meets once every three years and it is “crucial that our Pacific island region is well represented and our Pacific voice is heard”.

“We’ll also be providing support at the national level so whatever is agreed to here, on the global stage, will transcend into action on the ground within our Pacific islands and communities.”

Two events held by the Pacific region during the week will highlight the Pacific Whale Campaign and the Pacific Shark Conservation.

While Tonga is not a party to the CMS convention, it has a National Plan of Action (NPOA) Shark Plan in place.