MUSCAT: As part of the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the Environment Authority (EA) has monitored shark trading companies and detected violations by some of these companies of the Law Regulating Wildlife Trade promulgated by Royal Decree No 45/2024 and the Sultanate of Oman’s obligations under CITES.
The EA disclosed that those companies were involved in illegal export of endangered sharks and their derivatives after attempting to deceive regulatory authorities by mixing shark species and their derivatives (such as fins) that are permitted for export with prohibited species.
The EA announced a three-month suspension of permits (export/import/re-export) for all shark species and their derivatives starting April 24. The decision comes in compliance with the Sultanate of Oman’s obligations under international agreements to enable the monitoring of shark shipments as well as environmental considerations related to assessing the status of sharks in the Sultanate of Oman.
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) (COP 19), held in Panama in 2022, issued a decision to protect approximately 50 endangered shark species. — ONA
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