Global Conservation Efforts Advance with Shark and Ray Protections

Governments around the world have taken a significant step towards marine conservation by implementing international trade bans and restrictions on over 70 species of sharks and rays. This landmark decision was reached during the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. The new measures aim to protect these species, which are facing the risk of extinction due to overfishing and illegal trade.

Among the species now receiving enhanced protections are the oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays. CITES, a United Nations treaty, mandates that countries regulate or prohibit international trade in species whose survival is threatened. The global market for sharks and rays is estimated at nearly $1 billion annually, according to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS).

The decision to enhance protections comes as a response to alarming population declines. Over the past 50 years, pelagic shark populations that inhabit the open ocean have decreased by more than 70 percent. Additionally, one in five coral reefs has seen a dramatic decline in reef shark populations.

“These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery,” stated Diego Cardeñosa, an assistant professor at Florida International University and lead scientist at the university’s Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab. He emphasized the need for innovative technologies to combat illegal trade in these marine animals.

The stark reality is that over a third of shark and ray species are currently threatened with extinction. The primary drivers of this decline include overfishing and the unregulated trade of their meat, fins, and other products. Unlike commercially valuable species such as tuna, sharks have not faced comparable regulations and have often been treated as readily available seafood.

For instance, manta rays are primarily targeted for their large gill plates, used in traditional medicines in Asia, despite the lack of scientific evidence supporting such claims. Their meat is sometimes consumed locally or processed into animal feed. Shark fins are a delicacy in luxury cuisine, particularly in Chinese dishes like shark fin soup, while shark meat is increasingly marketed as an affordable protein source.

Years of unchecked trade have resulted in population declines exceeding 80 percent in certain regions. Gabriel Vianna, a shark researcher from the Charles Darwin Foundation, pointed out that the cosmetic industry significantly contributes to the demand for shark products, particularly oil extracted from the livers of deep-sea species like gulper sharks.

Until COP20, there were minimal international controls on the trade of these species. The recent decisions signify a turning point in marine conservation, with all proposed protections for sharks and rays receiving widespread support from CITES’ 185 member countries and the European Union. The EU is a major supplier of shark meat to Asian markets, accounting for over 20 percent of the global trade.

Under the new regulations, species such as gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks are now listed under CITES’ Appendix II, requiring all parties to ensure that their trade is traceable and sustainable. Furthermore, species like oceanic whitetips and whale sharks are designated as Appendix I species, which prohibits any international trade altogether.

“If you find an oceanic whitetip fin being traded, that’s an illegal product,” affirmed Warwick. While many conservationists celebrate the new protections, they also express concern about the ongoing threats to these species. Vianna remarked, “We shouldn’t be happy about this species being listed. We should actually be really worried that there’s such a problem with them.”

For the new measures to be effective, meaningful enforcement is crucial. Research conducted by Cardeñosa and Warwick revealed that fins from several shark species were frequently found in the Hong Kong market, which is the largest shark fin market globally. Their genetic analysis indicated that more than 90 percent of the trade in oceanic whitetip fins is illegal.

As Cardeñosa noted, “This tells us that enforcement gaps remain, especially in large, complex supply chains.” The recent uplisting to Appendix I aims to close loopholes that have allowed illegal trade to thrive.

While the new regulations will not eliminate illegal trade immediately, they enhance the capability of countries to inspect and prosecute illegal shipments. “Parties must invest in identification tools, capacity building, and routine monitoring if these protections are to translate into real reductions in illegal trade,” Cardeñosa added.

As the global community moves forward with this initiative, the hope is that these critical measures will not only safeguard sharks and rays but also contribute to healthier marine ecosystems worldwide.