The world's main mechanism for restricting trade in wildlife kicked off in Bangkok Sunday with sharks, manta rays, polar bears, elephants and rhinos high on the agenda. About 2000 delegates from 178 member nations of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wils Fauna and Flora gathered in Bangkok for the 16th CITES conference, which meets every three years. The delegates are to consider dozens of proposals on increased or decreasedtrade protection for endagered species by listing them on Apendix I, which prohibits all traffic in a species, or Appendex II, which retricts trade to ensure its sustainable.

Sharks, polar bears protection sought. (2013, March 7). Manila Bulletin, p. B-8.