The eleventh meeting of the “Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species” (CMS) was held last week in Quito, Ecuador. The CMS is an international treaty administered under the United Nations Environment Program and over 100 countries agreed to extend protection to 31 species, which included 21 species of sharks, rays and sawfish. In addition, discussions were held about on plastic debris, boat-based wildlife watching and the live-capture of cetaceans for entertainment.

Species that gained additional protection included: Polar Bears (Ursus maritimus), Cuvier’s Beaked Whales (Ziphius cavirostris), Thresher Shark (Alopias spp.), Silky Sharks (Carcharhinus falciformis), Sawfish (Family Pristidae), Manta alfredi (Reef Manta Ray), Mobula Rays (genus Mobula), Great Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna mokarran), Scalloped Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna lewini) and European Eel (Anguilla anguilla).