The legal wildlife trade is globally worth $300 billion. The illegal trade is estimated to be worth between $7 billion and $28 billion annually (Harvey, 2020). The international trade consists of both live specimens and products derived from wildlife species (such as shark fins), driven by market demand.
Wildlife generally flows from developing countries to developed countries. Motive to poach or smuggle ranges from profit, tradition, collection, and securing food and shelter for oneself.
CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, was developed as an international agreement to safeguard vulnerable species. It has 183 parties, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the European Union, Tonga, Samoa, Mexico, Vietnam, Costa Rica, India, Nigeria, South Africa, etc. Currently, over 38,700 species--roughly 5,950 animal species and 32,800 plant species-- are protected by CITES (CITES, n.d).
The species are separated into three appendixes by level of threat. Appendix I features the most endangered species, and commercial trade of these species is not permitted. Appendix II features species that are not endangered at present, but could become if trade is not regulated. Trade in such species requires a CITES export permit by the exporting country. Appendix III species are not endangered, but are subject to regulation within the exporting nation for the purpose of preventing exploitation.
The only sharks listed in Appendix I are all five species of Sawfish. Appendix II includes the Basking Shark, Whale Shark, White Shark, Porbeagle, Oceanic Whitetip, three species of Hammerhead, two species of Manta Rays, nine species of Devil Rays, three species of Thresher Shark, Silky Shark, two species of Mako Shark, six species of Giant Guitarfish, and 10 species of Wedgefish. Appendix III features 23 species of Freshwater Stingray (Shark Trust, n.d).
Wildlife generally flows from developing countries to developed countries. Motive to poach or smuggle ranges from profit, tradition, collection, and securing food and shelter for oneself.
CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, was developed as an international agreement to safeguard vulnerable species. It has 183 parties, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, China, Japan, the European Union, Tonga, Samoa, Mexico, Vietnam, Costa Rica, India, Nigeria, South Africa, etc. Currently, over 38,700 species--roughly 5,950 animal species and 32,800 plant species-- are protected by CITES (CITES, n.d).
The species are separated into three appendixes by level of threat. Appendix I features the most endangered species, and commercial trade of these species is not permitted. Appendix II features species that are not endangered at present, but could become if trade is not regulated. Trade in such species requires a CITES export permit by the exporting country. Appendix III species are not endangered, but are subject to regulation within the exporting nation for the purpose of preventing exploitation.
The only sharks listed in Appendix I are all five species of Sawfish. Appendix II includes the Basking Shark, Whale Shark, White Shark, Porbeagle, Oceanic Whitetip, three species of Hammerhead, two species of Manta Rays, nine species of Devil Rays, three species of Thresher Shark, Silky Shark, two species of Mako Shark, six species of Giant Guitarfish, and 10 species of Wedgefish. Appendix III features 23 species of Freshwater Stingray (Shark Trust, n.d).