Wild Migration expresses disappointment with the Australian Government reservations on sharks

21st January 2015

The Australian government will soon submit a “reservation” against three species of thresher shark and two species of hammerhead shark listed during CMS CoP11. The five types of shark were among 31 species listed at the CMS meeting in November.

Although Australia did not object to the listings during the CMS CoP, the Government is now seeking to opt out of their commitment to conserve the species, including cooperating with other countries to ensure the five migratory shark species do not become extinct.

In effect, Australia is refusing to take action for these species in their domestic waters. While Australia has been a long-term and strong conservation player at the CMS, it has NEVER BEFORE taken a reservation against a globally agreed conservation measure by the treaty.

For further information, please refer to HSI's press statement