Critter News

MARCH 23, 2010

In Qatar yesterday nations voted down a proposed ban on exporting Atlantic bluefin tuna. But Mr Watson is unfazed by the outcome in Qatar. Looks like they'll need to since nobody else wants to protect them. Greenpeace says the New Zealand Government voted against the ban – spelling disaster for the future of the species. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully wasn’t available today to confirm how New Zealand voted.

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Protection 2010 Qatar New Zealand 2

Critter News

MARCH 25, 2010

The opening line in this USA Today article says it all, "Every proposal to protect marine species at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species meeting in Doha, Qatar was voted down." It's unfortunate, but true, thanks primarily to Japan and China.

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Animal Protection Protection Endangered Species 2010 2

Critter News

MARCH 23, 2010

Delegates to the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) conference in Qatar voted down three of four proposals to protect sharks. This really sucks. According to the New York Times. China, by far the world’s largest consumer of the cartilaginous fish, for sharkfin soup, and Japan, which has battled to keep the convention from being extended to any marine species, led the opposition.

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Endangered Species 2010 Qatar Species 2

Critter News

MARCH 28, 2010

In Qatar, the concern about lost livelihoods during difficult economic times was particularly acute. "Earth Hour" was held yesterday. People were supposed to turn their lights off for an hour. I like this opinion piece from the Christian Science Monitor which calls for an "Endangered Species Hour." It's in response to the pathetic CITES conference which basically screwed marine animal protection.

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Endangered Species Science Species 2010 2