Protecting wrecks from potting |
A project has been launched to monitor criminal damage on protected wreck sites from potting activity. Fishermen place their pots in areas known to be good areas for fishing, however, conservationists have warned that designated historic wrecks should be avoided. The Protected Wreck Association, who are leading the project, hope to raise awareness of the problem, discourage future potting and encourage the reporting of it to the police. Reporting of potting to the Protected Wreck Association can be made on an online form at https:// forms. office. com / e / pLJfjgAsJW
Sergeant Julian Fry, Devon and Cornwall Police Rural Affairs Team said:“ Recent potting activity on the wreck of HMS Coronation off Cornwall’ s south coast has raised the question of whether other protected wreck sites are similarly affected around our UK coastline. Please help us by completing this quick survey so we can gain a better understanding of the scale of this problem.”
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PHOTO: SIMON ROGERSON |
Once more, the world is gearing up for a big international event. The venue is readying for the influx of supporters and commentators. The big players from around the world are limbering up. In closed rooms, tactics are being discussed and re-worked. The scene is set for gameplaying, controversial decisions and at the end of it all, celebrations for the winners, pity for the losers. Yes, it’ s time, once more, for a CITES‘ Conference of the Parties’. Put simply, CITES is an agreement between governments aiming to ensure that international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The conference happens every two or three years for parties( essentially countries) to review progress and, often to wild fanfare, add species to their lists. Get ready for CoP20, being played out in Uzbekistan this November.
Sharks did well last time around. In Panama 2022, around 100 species were added to Appendix II – this is for species not necessarily threatened with extinction, but in which trade must be controlled to avoid unsustainable use. At the time, the listing of all the requiem sharks was heralded as a game changer, given their fins represent the vast majority( 85-90 %) of the fins in trade.
And it was a big step forward. CITES listing, in theory, provides a muchneeded push towards sustainable fisheries. But sadly, the game is still very much on. Sharks are still being caught in unsustainable numbers, and for some the
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situation is getting very serious. Amongst the big proposals this time around, some sharks and rays are to be taken up a notch – from Appendix II to Appendix I. This would provide the highest level of protection and will strictly prohibit commercial trade in whale sharks, oceanic whitetips and manta and devil rays. This is similar to other iconic wildlife species. Luke Warwick from WCS says:“ Just like the iconic land mammals afforded this strictest CITES trade protection, such as tigers or gorillas, these iconic marine animals that are already on the edge of extinction must receive the same protections.”
While a positive result on these proposals would be very welcome, this is no victory. This is a recognition of the failure to get to grips with fisheries over the years. Even typing that sentence above seems absurd …“ strictly prohibit commercial trade in whale sharks, oceanic whitetips and manta and devil rays”. These are some of our most beautiful, iconic and threatened marine creatures. And we need an agreement to stop them being traded?
We’ ve come a long way in shark conservation over the last decade. Things are moving in the right direction. But moments like this serve as a reminder of the challenge we still face. A bit like the English men’ s football team, we’ re still a way off. So, we must keep going, keep honing our skills, keep battling for wins. We’ ll get there in the end. www. sharktrust. org
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