Rhino horn sales, shark protection on wildlife talks agenda

GLOBAL wildlife talks opened yesterday, with votes expected on increased shark protection, a bid to allow limited rhino horn sales and a push to restrict the trade in eels.

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More than 180 nations are joining conservation experts in Uzbekistan's Samarkand to discuss dozens of wildlife trade proposals.

The meeting brings together signatories to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites), a 50-year agreement protecting the world's most endangered animals and plants, and regulating trade in 36 000 species.

Among the most contested proposals up for debate is a call to increase protections for eels, a popular food in parts of Asia.

Cites regulates trade on animals and plants under different appendices depending on the threats they face.

Trade in Appendix I species, considered the world's most endangered, is almost entirely banned.

Appendix II species face additional scrutiny and certification before they can be traded.