Global Governments Enact Protections for Sharks and Rays

Governments around the world have established significant protections for sharks and rays, marking a pivotal moment in the effort to curb the international trade that threatens these species with extinction. At the conclusion of the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, more than 70 species, including oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays, received new safeguards under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly known as CITES.

These measures come in response to alarming declines in shark and ray populations, which play crucial roles as apex predators in marine ecosystems. 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. The new regulations aim to halt or regulate the demand for shark meat, fins, and other products derived from these animals.

Diego Cardeñosa, an assistant professor at Florida International University and lead scientist at the school’s Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab, emphasized the importance of these protections: “These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery.”

The crisis surrounding sharks and rays is dire. Over a third of these species are now threatened with extinction, with pelagic shark populations declining by more than 70 percent over the past 50 years. Additionally, one in five coral reefs has seen the near disappearance of reef sharks. Warwick described the situation as a “silent crisis,” largely driven by overfishing.

Historically, sharks have lacked the regulation that has been applied to other commercially valuable fish, such as tuna. While many fish species produce millions of eggs annually, sharks and rays mature slowly and produce significantly fewer offspring. For instance, manta rays may give birth to only seven live pups in their lifetime. This disparity in reproductive rates has contributed to their dramatic population declines.

Manta rays are primarily targeted for their gill plates, used in traditional Asian medicine, despite a lack of scientific support for such claims. Shark fins are considered a delicacy in luxury Chinese cuisine, while shark meat is increasingly marketed as an affordable protein source. The oil from deep-water species, such as gulper sharks, is harvested for squalene, a common ingredient in skincare products and pharmaceuticals, including COVID-19 vaccines.

The unregulated trade of these species has led to population declines exceeding 80 percent in certain regions. As Gabriel Vianna, a shark researcher from the Charles Darwin Foundation, noted, the cosmetic industry significantly drives the demand for shark products. He stated, “We should be using synthetic options and not exploiting these species.”

The recent agreements adopted at CITES represent a turning point in marine conservation. Unlike its focus on iconic land species and charismatic marine animals in the past, CITES has recently begun to prioritize sharks and rays. This year’s conference saw unanimous support for all proposed protections, a historic first among the 185 member countries and the European Union.

The new measures include listing gulper sharks and smoothhound sharks under CITES’ Appendix II, which mandates strict regulation of international trade for these species. Others, such as oceanic whitetips, whale sharks, and manta rays, have been classified as Appendix I species, indicating they face a real extinction risk and receive the highest level of protection.

For shark advocates, the new listings evoke mixed emotions. “We are very happy but we are very sad at the same time,” said Vianna. The implementation of these protections will be crucial for the survival of many of these species. Research conducted by Cardeñosa and Warwick found that fins from species like the oceanic whitetip were frequently discovered in Hong Kong, the world’s largest shark fin market, highlighting the gap between reported legal trade and actual trade activity.

Now that the oceanic whitetip shark is listed under Appendix I, any international trade involving this species is deemed illegal. Cardeñosa expressed hope that the new protections will close loopholes that previously allowed protected species to slip through. He remarked, “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.”

As countries work to implement these crucial protections, the focus will be on enhancing enforcement measures and capacity building to ensure the survival of sharks and rays in our oceans.