The illegal trade in marine species is one of the major issues that needs to be under the spotlight at the UN Ocean Conference this week.

That’s according to John Scanlon, head of the UN body that monitors implementation of an international agreement that helps ensure the survival of nearly 40,000 animal and plant species in the wild.

Corals, sharks, dolphins and whales are among the marine species covered by the agreement, known as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, or CITES.

Julia Dean spoke to Secretary-General Scanlon, who is in Australia, and asked him about his hopes for the conference.

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