PH, Israel work for protection of whale sharks

MANILA -- The Philippines and Israel are working together to protect whale sharks, the largest living fish, as the country hosts the world’s largest wildlife conference next week.

The governments of the two countries, along with Sri Lanka, will submit a proposal for the inclusion of the whale shark in the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals, and a work plan for all member-states to improve the protection of the fish during the wildlife conference.

The country will host the 12th Conference of Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP12) on Oct. 23 to 28.

The event will mark the first time the CMS conference will be held in Asia since the international treaty was adopted in Bonn, Germany in 1979 and came into force in 1985.

As part of Israel Embassy in Manila’s academic program, Dr. Simon Nemtzov, Israel’s expert on migratory species, will deliver a lecture on “The Challenges of Dealing with Human-Wildlife Conflicts in Conserving Israel's Exceptionally Rich Wildlife Biodiversity” at the University of the Philippines Diliman on Oct. 25, and at the De La Salle University Manila on Oct. 26.

Around 1,000 participants from 124 countries, which are parties to the convention, are expected to attend the CMS-COP 12.  They consist of high-level dignitaries and representatives from various organizations, private companies and institutions recognized as champions of migratory species. (PNA)