Bonn, 6 May 2011 - Ambassador Jorge O'Ryan Schütz from the Embassy of Chile in Berlin signed the CMS Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of Migratory Sharks during his visit to the CMS Secretariat in Bonn. Chile’s signature brings the number of countries that have signed the Memorandum to 15.

CMS’s first global conservation instrument - and the first of its kind regarding sharks - was concluded in February 2010. It covers currently seven shark species listed on the CMS Appendices: Basking Shark, Great White Shark, Whale Shark, Shortfin and Longfin Mako Shark, Porbeagle and Northern hemisphere populations of the Spiny Dogfish. Among the 53 shark species in Chilean waters - the White Shark, Whale Shark, Basking Shark, Porbeagle, Shortfin Mako and Longfin Mako are covered by the CMS Shark MoU.

A bill is currently being discussed in Parliament, which aims to set standards for national biodiversity conservation of sharks and shark fisheries as well as for long term sustainable use through a finning ban and new measures to reduce bycatch. In a first constitutional step, it was approved by the Senate on March 23.

It prohibits the practice of shark finning and the landing of fins, unless they are naturally attached to the trunk. A respective fishing permit is required too. It also provides for the use of devices to prevent bycatch and the presence of observers on board of vessels. Breaching the law will entail penalty according to the General Law on Fisheries and Aquaculture.

The initiative complements the national Action Plan as well as conservation efforts to be undertaken under the CMS Shark MoU. A permanent fishing ban has been imposed regarding the critically endangered Whale Shark, Basking Shark and Great White Shark, which are included on CMS Appendix I. Since 2006, a series of investigations has been conducted to fill knowledge gaps regarding shark populations in Chilean waters.

The signing of the Shark MoU is embedded in the broader context of national conservation efforts focusing on marine species such as cetaceans, pinnipeds, penguins and marine turtles. Sightings, photo identification and satellite transmitters have been used for cetacean research projects.

During the meeting, activities undertaken by Chile in the framework Memorandum of Understanding on the Conservation of the High Andean Flamingo, the Rudded-headed Goose, the Agreement on the Conservation of Albatrosses and Petrels and more recently the South Andean Deer MoU were discussed.

Fact Sheet provided by the Government of Chile (Spanish)