© Kydd Pollock / Marine Photobank

One third of shark and ray species, including the majestic manta ray, are threatened with extinction.

Recognising this problem, in 2001 the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations developed an International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks.

In 2004, Indonesia drafted a National Plan of Action to implement the FAO’s recommendations.

In 2008 the United Nations General Assembly called on member states to urgently adopt measures to fully implement the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks under UNGA resolution 62/177.

And many countries around the world took action. The USA and Australia, along with many other countries, implemented their own National Plans of Action following the FAO’s recommendations.

On 1st March 2009, the Fisheries Ministry of the Maldives announced a ban on shark fishing within the Atolls of the Maldives, lagoons and in the waters up to 12 miles off the coast of the Atolls – an area covering 90,000 sq km.

On 25th September 2009, following a high profile public petition, tha pacific republic of Palau reversed a senate bill to open up shark fishing and instead issued a total ban on shark fishing within an area covering 600,000 sq km.

On 5h January 2010 the Caribbean republic of Honduras declared a moratorium on shark fishing until research has been completed that will allow a responsible management plan to be developed.

On 23rd March 2010 Indonesia voted against a CITIES proposal to protect six shark species, including populations of heavily fished hammerhead sharks. A shortfall of just five votes prevented this proposal being passed by the 175-nation Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.

In voting against this proposal, Indonesia overlooked a valuable opportunity to protect these threatened marine resources for future generations, and take a first step towards implementing the National Plan of Action drafted in 2004.

The shark finning industry is one of the [intlink id=”80″ type=”post”]principle threats to manta ray populations[/intlink] in Indonesia waters.

On 5 October 2010, the UK’s Guardian newspaper wrote to the Minister for Environment of Indonesia asking the Minister to consider a proposal for protecting Indonesia’s biodiversity by banning shark finning at sea.

As yet there has been no official response.

Tell us what you think in the comments below. Are countries doing enough to ensure the sustainability of species such as manta rays that are highly susceptible to over-harvesting? Was the Government of Indonesia correct to vote against the recent CITIES proposal? How can citizens ensure they have a say in policies that affect their natural environment. Tell us your thoughts below.