Alert: Potamotrygonidae under consideration for CITES listing.

[ewurm]

Just received this from PIJAC:

1. Species the United States is likely to submit for consideration:
Red and Pink coral (Corallium spp.) for inclusion in Appendix II
Bobcat (Lynx rufus) for removal from Appendix II.

2. Species for which the United States is “undecided” for inclusion in Appendix I or II pending receipt of additional information and consultations:

Nautilids (Allonautilus Spp.) for inclusion in II
Freshwater sawfish (Pristis microdon) for transfer from II to I
Spiny dogfish (Squalus acanthias) for inclusion in II
Devil and Manta rays (Mobulidae) for inclusion in II
Freshwater stingrays (Potamotrygonidae) for inclusion in II
American eel (Anguilla rostrata) for inclusion in II
Common snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentine) for inclusion in III (This involves a unilateral decision by the US since it involves inclusion in III) Spotted turtle (Clemmys guttata) for inclusion in II






An inclusion in CITES appendix II means that the trade of the species in question will be restricted to avoid over-utilization.

 

[LBathory]

ugh.. I didn't even know freshwater sawfish were in the trade as it is.

 

[Pharaoh]

Start the petition and I'll sign it!

 

[ewurm]

It's a tough call for me. Cites II means that the genus and/or species would be restricted based on data that would determine the acceptable levels of utilization for these fish. The Brazilian government is already doing this with quotas. While I agree that restrictions are needed to ensure the genus and individual species thrive in the wild, I am also worried about over-reaction similar to the US snakehead situation. The problem is that the Potamotrygonidae genus has not had enough studies done to determine which species if any warrant protection. This is most likely the reason why the US government has not decided on it's recommendation for inclusion in a potential listing.

 

[turkeyboy85]

so... just making sure I understand this correctly, this would mean that they would quota the amount of rays that could come into the country each year, fish owners would still be able to keep them, and breed them?

 

[feeling2good]

so... just making sure I understand this correctly, this would mean that they would quota the amount of rays that could come into the country each year, fish owners would still be able to keep them, and breed them?

if thats the case then will the prices go up? if so then we should start ordering our rays now.

its still bad news for us ray keepers.

 

[ShadowStryder]

so... just making sure I understand this correctly, this would mean that they would quota the amount of rays that could come into the country each year, fish owners would still be able to keep them, and breed them?

I hope this is the worst case scenerio. It would put the commercial breeders out.
It would then turn it into an underground situation with private hush hush breeders.
Either way I wouldn't give my up willingly, they would have to come and
take them.

 

[nitrofish1]

i doubt they would come and take rays away. yet, id like to see where this goes, and if i gotta buy stingrays soon, or if breeders will still be able to operate.

 

[skylineiz]

would put them out exactly.

They would need to register as a CITES approved Breeder.

Which would make them the only legit place to buy them.
As the fish needs to be chiped infront of a CITES approved officer.

So adding extra steps, but might be a way for commercial breeders to monopolize the situation.

 

[csx4236]

This would not put commercial breeders out of business, but would make breeding rays for average hobbyist illegal I beleive. USFW has been talking about this for last two years with little done to date. In my case I would have to register as CITIES regulated facility, and all rays would have to be chipped and sold with certificate to customers. It would raise price for sure of rays due to chip and certificate fee USWF would charge.