SUNDAY 25 AUGUST 2019World news in brief
Conservationists are calling for urgent action to help save wedgefish and guitarfish (pictured) which are targeted for their fins (Matt
D. Potenski)
‘Rhinos of the ocean’ will go extinct without urgent protection
Wedgefish and guitarfish known as “rhinos of the ocean” will go extinct without drastic efforts to stop
illegal fishing, conservationists have warned. Known as rhino rays because of their long snouts, they are the
most endangered marine group left in the ocean and are relentlessly targeted for their sought-after fins –
one kilo of which sells for around £1,000.
Conservationists have warned these animals are now perilously close to extinction as world leaders meet in
Geneva for The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites).
They are looking to add 18 sharks and rays to the proposed Cites Appendix II – a list of creatures threatened
with extinction. This would mean all six species of giant guitarfish, all 10 species of wedgefish and two
species of mako sharks were much better protected from illegal fishing.
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