Global Governments Enact Protections for Sharks and Rays

More than 70 species of sharks and rays have received new protections as global governments move to address their declining populations. In a historic decision at the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, nations agreed to enforce international trade bans and restrictions under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). This marks a significant step in efforts to curb the exploitation of these vulnerable marine species.

The newly protected species include well-known varieties such as the oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark, and manta ray. These species, which play crucial roles as apex predators in marine ecosystems, are facing increasing threats from overfishing and illegal trade. According to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the global market for these species is valued at nearly $1 billion annually.

Sharks and rays have long been targeted for their meat, fins, and other products. The demand for shark fin soup in luxury cuisine, particularly in certain Asian markets, contributes significantly to their decline. Furthermore, their livers are harvested for oil used in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, with some researchers attributing a portion of the trade to the cosmetic industry itself. Gabriel Vianna, a shark researcher from the Charles Darwin Foundation, highlighted the need for synthetic alternatives rather than exploiting these vulnerable species.

The decision to protect these marine animals was largely unanimous among the 185 member countries of CITES and the European Union, a notable shift as the organization has primarily focused on terrestrial species in its 50-year history. Previously, protections for sharks and rays were minimal, with many species lacking the regulatory attention afforded to more commercially valuable fish like tuna.

According to Diego Cardeñosa, an assistant professor at Florida International University, the new regulations signify a turning point in marine conservation, stating, “These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery.” Currently, over a third of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, and populations of pelagic sharks have declined by more than 70 percent in the past 50 years.

The CITES listing includes multiple species grouped together due to the difficulty in distinguishing their products in trade. For instance, gulper sharks and smoothhound sharks have been listed under CITES’ Appendix II, requiring strict regulation for international trade. Meanwhile, others, such as oceanic whitetips, whale sharks, and manta rays, have been moved to Appendix I, which prohibits any international trade. This categorization reflects their critical risk of extinction due to trade.

“Findings of oceanic whitetip fins in trade will now be classified as illegal,” Warwick noted, emphasizing the importance of enforcing these new regulations. While the new listings are a cause for optimism, experts like Vianna express that they also highlight the severity of the problem, stating, “We shouldn’t be happy about this species being listed. We should actually be really worried that there’s such a problem with them.”

Continued implementation of these protections will be vital for the survival of many of these species. Research conducted by Cardeñosa and Warwick has found that fins from several shark species, including the oceanic whitetip, were often found in the Hong Kong shark fin market, despite being listed under CITES regulations. Their study detected over 70 times the number of oceanic whitetip shark fins than what had been reported in official records since CITES began regulating the species in 2014, suggesting a significant gap in legal documentation of shark trade.

Cardeñosa stated, “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 urges that nations must invest in identification tools and capacity building to ensure these measures lead to tangible reductions in illegal trade.

The actions taken at COP20 represent a pivotal moment in the global effort to protect sharks and rays. As more countries adopt these measures, the hope is that the tide will turn for these beleaguered species, allowing their populations to recover and thrive in the oceans once again.