User:Johnpaterson1234

The giant triton (Charonia tritonis) is a beautiful shell and a well known predator of the crown-of-thorns starfish (Acanthaster planci). In many parts of the third world, it is still being collected in large numbers and sold to tourists as ornaments. As you admire the beautiful shell, spare a thought for the hungry mollusk that died. And don't forget, they live on starfish. Many species of starfish are known to outbreak in different parts of the world. Prior to human collection, the giant triton might have controlled starfish numbers not by eating the many, but by preventing the aggregation that precedes the outbreak. At present, little is known of any aspect of the triton's ecology despite it's obvious importance in controlling starfish numbers.

Australia has sought support for listing Charonia on Schedule 2 of CITES (Convention in Trade of Endangered Species) in the past but stopped short presumably because they believed it would fail.

There is a serious environmental issue if the CITES Treaty has to wait until things become extinct.