Global Ban on Shark and Ray Trade Marks Historic Conservation Step

Governments across the globe have taken a significant step to protect vulnerable marine species by agreeing to comprehensive trade bans and restrictions on sharks and rays. This landmark decision, finalized during the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, encompasses over 70 species, including the oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark, and manta rays.

The new regulations stem from the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), an essential treaty that mandates countries to manage or prohibit trade in species facing extinction. With more than a third of shark and ray species now threatened, these measures aim to curb the alarming decline of these apex predators, which are crucial for maintaining healthy 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 recent decisions reflect a major commitment to regulate the demand for shark meat, fins, and other products. Warwick remarked, “These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery.”

Declining Populations Highlight Urgency for Action

Sharks and rays have been subjected to unsustainable fishing practices for decades, with pelagic shark populations in open oceans declining by more than 70 percent in the last 50 years. The crisis is exacerbated by the fact that species such as reef sharks have nearly vanished from one in five coral reefs globally. “We’re in the middle of an extinction crisis for the species and it’s kind of a silent crisis,” Warwick stated, emphasizing that overfishing is the primary driver of these declines.

Unlike commercially regulated species like tuna, sharks have historically lacked similar controls, often treated as fast-reproducing fish. Yet, many shark species mature slowly and produce significantly fewer offspring. For instance, manta rays may give birth to only seven live pups in their lifetime. The unregulated catch of these species has led to catastrophic declines.

Manta rays are primarily hunted for their gill plates, used in traditional Asian medicines despite no scientific backing. Their meat is sometimes converted into animal feed or consumed locally, while shark fins are prized in luxury dishes like shark fin soup. The trade extends to deep-water species, where livers are harvested for oil used in skincare products and pharmaceuticals, including COVID-19 vaccines.

New Protections and Their Implications

The recent CITES decisions impose stricter regulations on species such as gulper sharks and smoothhound sharks, which are now listed under Appendix II. This listing mandates that all CITES parties regulate international trade and ensure that it is traceable and biologically sustainable. Critically endangered species, including oceanic whitetips and manta rays, have been uplisted to Appendix I, prohibiting all international trade.

Gabriel Vianna, a shark researcher at the Charles Darwin Foundation, highlighted the cosmetic industry’s role in driving shark trade, stating, “We should be using synthetic options and not exploiting these species.” The European Union, a major supplier of shark meat to East Asian markets, has also backed these new protections, marking a historic shift in conservation priorities.

Despite the enthusiasm surrounding these new regulations, advocates are cautious. Vianna expressed mixed feelings, stating, “We are very happy but we are very sad at the same time.” The implementation of these protections will be critical for the survival of many species. Research by Diego Cardeñosa and Warwick revealed alarming discrepancies in reported shark fin trades, indicating that over 90 percent of the trade is illegal.

Cardeñosa noted that while the new listings will not eliminate illegal trade overnight, they will enhance countries’ abilities to monitor 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,” he added.

As global awareness of the plight of sharks and rays increases, the recent CITES decisions represent a crucial turning point in marine conservation efforts. The commitment to protect these species reflects a growing recognition of their importance to ocean health and the urgent need for sustainable practices.