Global Agreement Enforces Trade Bans on Endangered Sharks and Rays

Governments around the world have taken a significant step to protect endangered shark and ray species by implementing international trade bans and restrictions. Over 70 species, including the oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark, and manta ray, received new protections during the recent 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This landmark decision under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) aims to combat the threats these species face from overfishing and illegal trade.

Sharks and rays, which serve as critical apex predators in marine ecosystems, have been caught and traded for decades, creating a global market valued at nearly $1 billion annually, according to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS). The newly adopted measures reflect a growing recognition of the need to regulate the demand for shark meat, fins, and other products derived from these vulnerable species.

Urgent Action Required for Threatened Species

The adoption of these protections comes as more than a third of shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction. Pelagic shark populations have decreased by over 70 percent in the past 50 years, while reef sharks have nearly disappeared from one in five coral reefs globally. “We’re in the middle of an extinction crisis for these species, and it’s a silent crisis,” Warwick stated. The primary driver of this decline is overfishing, as sharks and rays have often been treated like other fast-reproducing fish despite their much slower reproductive rates.

Unlike species such as tuna, sharks do not have comparable regulatory protections. For instance, manta rays typically give birth to only a few pups in their lifetime, making them particularly vulnerable to overfishing. Their gill plates are highly sought after in traditional Asian medicines, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their efficacy. Shark fins remain a delicacy in Chinese cuisine, while shark meat and oil are popular in pet food and cosmetics, driving demand even further.

Research conducted by Diego Cardeñosa, an assistant professor at Florida International University, emphasizes the critical need for these new regulations. “These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery,” he remarked.

CITES Takes New Direction for Marine Conservation

Historically, CITES has focused on notable land species like elephants and rhinos, while marine species have received less attention. In recent years, there has been a shift, as the urgency surrounding the conservation of sharks and rays has become increasingly apparent. At COP20, all proposed protections for these species were adopted with overwhelming support from CITES’ 185 member countries and the European Union, a milestone that has never occurred before.

The European Union is a significant contributor to the global shark meat trade, accounting for over 20 percent of the total market. The new listings under CITES will require member countries to regulate international trade of these species and ensure that any trade is traceable and biologically sustainable. Notably, species such as the oceanic whitetip shark and manta rays are now classified as Appendix I species, indicating that they face a high risk of extinction due to trade.

While many conservationists celebrate these advancements, they also express concern about the challenges ahead. Gabriel Vianna from the Charles Darwin Foundation highlighted the bittersweet nature of these new listings. “We shouldn’t be happy about this species being listed. We should actually be really worried that there’s such a problem with them,” he said.

Effective implementation of these protections will be crucial for the survival of many of these species. Research published by Cardeñosa and Warwick indicates that illegal trade remains pervasive. For instance, fins from oceanic whitetip sharks have been frequently found in Hong Kong, the world’s largest shark fin market, despite their previous listing under Appendix II, which allows for regulated trade.

With the oceanic whitetip shark now elevated to Appendix I, Cardeñosa is hopeful that the loopholes that have previously allowed illegal trade will be addressed. “The new listings will not eliminate illegal trade overnight, but they will significantly strengthen the ability of countries to inspect, detect, and prosecute illegal shipments,” he emphasized.

The trajectory of shark and ray conservation is now poised for a crucial turning point, and the effectiveness of these new measures will determine the future of these vital marine species.