Trade Restrictions Approved For Endangered Rays

The Hague, The Netherlands - Trade restrictions have been approved for critically endangered sawfish, large rays related to sharks. Delegates attending a meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)approved all seven sawfish species in Appendix I of the convention, banning all international commercial trade. One species found in Australia was included in Appendix II, but only to allow trade in live animals to public aquaria for conservation purposes only. Sawfish are traded for their fins, meat, unique toothed rostra (snouts), and as live animals for exhibition...