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Basking Shark Cetorhinus Maximus CITES 2002 www.panda.org/species/CITES WWF FACTSHEET 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES Santiago, 3-15 November 2002 Basking shark Cetorhinus maximus I. Species Facts History and distribution The basking shark is the second largest fish in the seas (after its tropical cousin the whale shark Rhincodon typus). An adult shark can reach a length of 10 metres and weigh five to seven tonnes. It is found in cool temperate waters all around the world. Basking sharks are wide-ranging migratory animals. They regularly return to the same spring/summer shallow feeding ground when the zooplankton they feed on is at high concentrations. During winter months, a recent satellite tagging survey has shown that these sharks spend more of their time at deeper depths along the continental shelf. Though the basking shark is closely related to the great white shark it has tiny, single cusped teeth and is harmless to humans. Basking sharks do not use their teeth for feeding at all. They are ‘filter-feeders’ – using modified gills called ‘gill rakers’ to sieve plankton from the vast quantities of water taken in as they swim around slowly with their enormous mouth wide open. The dorsal fin and the upper lobe of the tail fin often break the surface of the water when the shark is feeding. Basking sharks are thought to mate close to the shore in early summer. The gestation period is unknown, but is believed to be between one and three years. They are viviparous – giving birth to live young rather than eggs with ‘litter’ sizes of about six pups. Pups are between 1.5 and 2 metres at birth but are rarely seen until they are more than three metres long. The interval between litters is estimated at two to four years. Males become mature when they have grown to between five and seven metres – by which time they may be between 12 and 16 years old. Females may not reach maturity until around 20 years old at which time they are between 8 and 10 metres in length. It is thought that the sharks live for around 50 years. Threats to basking sharks Basking sharks are not faced with imminent extinction. However, because of their slow growth, late maturity, and the small numbers of young born after a long pregnancy, they are highly vulnerable to over-exploitation, and recovery from depletion is very slow. There are three main threats: direct fisheries, incidental fisheries (or by-catch) and accidental mortality, such as through collisions with boats. Direct fisheries involve targeting the sharks using nets or harpoon guns for WHALE SHARK, J STAFFORD-DEITSCH, WWF-UK | HUMPBACK WHALE, B COLEMAN | HAWKSBILL TURTLE, J STAFFORD-DEITSCH, WWF-UK J STAFFORD-DEITSCH, TURTLE, WWF-UK | HUMPBACK WHALE, B COLEMAN HAWKSBILL WHALE SHARK, J STAFFORD-DEITSCH, trade products. Oil from the sharks liver has been used in industrial lubricants, cosmetics and health supplements; their meat has been used for consumption; cartilage and skin for health practitioners and leather products; the fins are highly valued in some East Asian markets. Basking sharks have been exploited in targeted fisheries for many years. These fisheries typically demonstrate an unsustainable “boom and bust” pattern, where high initial catches are followed by the collapse of the fishery. Recovery from depletion is extremely slow, and some populations do not appear to have recovered even decades after fishing operations have ended. Most targeted fisheries have now ceased as a result of stock collapse or legal protection. The only targeted fishery now in operation is the Norwegian fishery, in which catches are in decline. Incidental fisheries or by-catch involves sharks being caught through other fishing operations. Although the sharks are fairly resilient to this and can be released, due to the high value of their fins there is a strong incentive for fishermen to kill and utilise them. Some states have prohibited target fisheries in certain areas to avoid this occurring and therefore provide legal protection. Unknown numbers of the basking shark are also killed or injured following accidental collisions. Evidence of this can be seen by the scars on many animals’ heads and dorsal surfaces. There is no information at present on trade that may result from these activities in other range states where basking sharks occur. Because basking sharks are wide-ranging migratory animals, even if sharks are protected in one country, they are still highly vulnerable to unmanaged, unsustainable fisheries elsewhere. Today, there is some demand for basking shark liver oil, meat and cartilage but international trade is centred around their highly valuable fins which can grow up to two metres in length. The highest prices are paid for large, intact fin sets, which may be used as displays by restaurants selling shark fin soup. II. Basking sharks and CITES Current status within CITES At the 11th Conference of the Parties the UK proposed the listing of basking shark in Appendix II, but was unsuccessful. Recently, it listed basking shark in Appendix III, which means that importers are required to verify that basking shark products are accompanied by an Appendix III certificate if imported from the UK, and a certificate of origin from any other country. In order to issue an Appendix III permit the UK CITES Management Authority must make a finding that the specimens are legally obtained. Japan and Norway have entered reservations to this listing, meaning they are not bound by these requirements. Basking sharks are also listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN-World Conservation Union’s Red List of Threatened Species, and are legally protected in a range of states including the UK, USA, New Zealand and in the Mediterranean Sea. Proposals to the 12th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES At CoP 12 in November, the United Kingdom has submitted a proposal, containing substantial new biological and trade information, to list basking sharks in Appendix II. III. WWF projects WWF has supported several projects linked to basking sharks. The projects are aimed at: • achieving an understanding of the status, behaviour, and movement of the second largest fish in the world through satellite tagging; • determining migration pathways of basking sharks from coastal areas to their over-wintering areas in the Atlantic Ocean, using timed-release satellite-linked dive recorders attached to sharks migrating from coastal waters in the English Channel and Scotland; • creation of a boat-based project to complement an expanding network of shore-based observers engaged in basking shark studies; • Photo-identification contributing to a database that informs European research. Basking shark distribution based on Compagno 1984 September 2002 For more information: http://www.panda.org/species Basking Shark Distribution based on Compagno 1984 September 2002 For more information: www.panda.org/species WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural WWF International environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony Species Programme with nature, by: Panda House, Weyside Park Godalming, Surrey GU7 1XR · conserving the world’s biological diversity United Kingdom · ensuring that the use of renewable resources is sustainable E-mail: [email protected] · promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. www.panda.org/species Panda symbol © 1986 WWF ® WWF registered trademark Printed on recycled paper made from 100 per cent post consumer waste Project number 1506/September 2002.
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