Amazon Freshwater Stingrays Gain Much-Needed Protection — Will It Be Enough?
Not all experts interviewed for this piece strongly supported the Appendix II CITES listing, with some noting that these species were already listed in Appendix III, meaning that export permits from Brazil were already required.
“An Appendix III listing makes it just as illegal as Appendix II if you don’t have the paperwork,” Rhynne says. But he acknowledges that Appendix II, which requires an international vote, increases the profile of the species and the issues involved in their conservation. That can lead to more resources for enforcement.
And Charvet tells me that the Appendix III listing did not result in improved reporting or reduced illegal trade. Brazil enforced regulations associated with the Appendix III listing poorly, and illegal trade remained common. Rays were often smuggled over the border to Colombia and exported from there. She believes that stronger protections are necessary and has pushed for them at several CITES Conferences of the Parties prior to this year’s successful listing.
Spot these freshwater ocellate or peacock-eye stingrays (native to the rivers of S. America) in our Amazon-flooded forest gallery.
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