Species facts
Patagonian toothfish
Often marketed under the more appealing name of Chilean sea bass, the Patagonian toothfish has suffered for its popularity among seafood lovers in the United States, Japan, and western Europe. Slow-growing and slow to reproduce, toothfish populations are now on the verge of collapse across the Southern Hemisphere. They are also under heavy pressure from pirate fishing ships.
Basking shark
The basking shark is the world's second largest marine fish, reaching lengths of up to 10 metres. Demand for its fins is large and growing, with processed sets of fins bringing as much as $US330/kg on the Hong Kong market. Like the whale shark, the basking shark is classified as "Vulnerable" by IUCN and receives limited protection in a few nations. However, reported reductions in numbers of between 50 and 90 per cent in some areas clearly indicate the need for international conservation measures.
Whale sharks
The world's largest fish - growing as long as 50 feet - is found in tropical and warm temperate seas. Whale sharks have been overfished for their meat, fins, liver, cartilage and skin. Countries such as the United States, Maldives, Taiwan, Honduras, Australia and the Philippines have already banned the hunting of whale sharks in their waters. Many countries, including the Philippines (proponent of the CITES proposal), have active ecotoruism programmes for diving with whale sharks.
Patagonian toothfish
Often marketed under the more appealing name of Chilean sea bass, the Patagonian toothfish has suffered for its popularity among seafood lovers in the United States, Japan, and western Europe. Slow-growing and slow to reproduce, toothfish populations are now on the verge of collapse across the Southern Hemisphere. They are also under heavy pressure from pirate fishing ships.
Basking shark
The basking shark is the world's second largest marine fish, reaching lengths of up to 10 metres. Demand for its fins is large and growing, with processed sets of fins bringing as much as $US330/kg on the Hong Kong market. Like the whale shark, the basking shark is classified as "Vulnerable" by IUCN and receives limited protection in a few nations. However, reported reductions in numbers of between 50 and 90 per cent in some areas clearly indicate the need for international conservation measures.
Whale sharks
The world's largest fish - growing as long as 50 feet - is found in tropical and warm temperate seas. Whale sharks have been overfished for their meat, fins, liver, cartilage and skin. Countries such as the United States, Maldives, Taiwan, Honduras, Australia and the Philippines have already banned the hunting of whale sharks in their waters. Many countries, including the Philippines (proponent of the CITES proposal), have active ecotoruism programmes for diving with whale sharks.