Sharks feel the love as nations push protection of marine species

Sharks appear to be getting an image makeover as countries move to restrict trade in several species of the oceans' top predator in a push to extend more protections to marine species. International restrictions on trade in 18 species of sharks and rays and three sea cucumber species appear set to take effect, following a series of votes in Geneva on Sunday at a meeting of the parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). The parties voted overwhelmingly to list the marine species under the treaty's Annex II, under which international trade in a plant or animal species is subject to oversight and guarantees of sustainability.