Improving synergies between Regional Fishery Bodies and CITES Authorities
An initiative to identify opportunities to strengthen sustainable measures for sharks and rays
The Federal Ministry for Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection of Germany (BMUV) and the Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) are pleased to present information on the project “Improving synergies between Regional Fishery Bodies (RFBs)/Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs) and CITES Authorities for the Management and Conservation of Marine Elasmobranchs”. The project is based on the recognition that RFBs/RFMOs and CITES share common objectives in the recovery of depleted stocks, as well as legal and sustainable fisheries and trade of elasmobranchs, and that jointly delivering on these common objectives may be hindered by fragmentation between the CITES and fisheries communities.
The project brings together experts, including government officials, representative from fisheries and conservation bodies, scientists and other stakeholders to identify strategies to more effectively coordinate and deliver the protection and conservation of elasmobranchs and to build bridges between the CITES and fisheries communities.
Background Studies 2019-2021
To prepare the initiative, BMUV and BfN commissioned two studies: a background study to assess the status of and threats to CITES-listed shark species (EN, ESP, FR), and an international anonymized stakeholder survey to examine the current relationship between fisheries and species protection (EN, ESP, FR).
Workshop Series 2021-2023
A series of three workshops was initiated in 2021 to initiate a wide debate on the outcomes of the two studies. The workshops serve as a platform for sharing knowledge and exchanging experiences on current crosscutting issues. This thematic approach aims to build bridges between conservation and fisheries communities, thereby laying the foundation for the successful implementation of a high-level conference in 2024. Against this background, the workshop series is designed as a consultation forum for representatives and governmental organizations. Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) are able to access all workshop documents and submit comments and questions. Extensive involvement of NGOs is planned at the high-level conference.
The first workshop titled "CITES-RFMO Workshop 1: Setting the Scene" was held on 8 and 11 November 2021 in two different time zones. At the workshop, participants discussed the conclusions of the two studies and considered key tools for sustainable fisheries management: Non-Detriment Findings, Introductions from the Sea, and Legal Acquisition Findings. The second workshop "CITES-RFMO Workshop 2: Developing approaches to improving collaboration" was held on 13 July 2022 to more deeply explore the identified shared objectives between the CITES and RFB/RFMO communities as well as develop and discuss specific examples of current or future opportunities for greater cooperation.
A third workshop titled "CITES-RFMO Workshop 3: Potential approaches to improving collaboration" was held on 24 February 2023, from 12 to 16.30 CET. The workshop explored concrete proposals for addressing the issues identified in previous workshops, and gauge interest among participants in taking them forwards. The workshops were held in English, with simultaneous interpretation into Spanish and French. Written materials were translated into all three languages.
Further Information on Workshop 3 and registration
Please note that invitations for participation at the third workshop have been sent out. The number of participants is limited for technical and organisational reasons.
For questions, please contact us at sharks(at)bmuv.bund.de .