The CITES CoP20 has just delivered a landmark victory for shark and ray conservation, with sweeping new international trade protections agreed for some of the most imperiled species in the world. The proposals, co-sponsored by over 50 governments, represent the most ambitious and comprehensive suite of protections ever brought to the convention—and every single one passed.
The decisions include a full international commercial trade ban (Appendix I) for oceanic whitetip sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks. Zero export quotas—effectively suspending all exports of wild-caught specimens—were also agreed for wedgefish and giant guitarfish. Additionally, regulated trade (Appendix II) requiring permits and non-detriment findings was approved for gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and the tope shark.
These listings close major loopholes in the international market for fins, gill plates, meat, and other products—longstanding pressures that have driven population collapses across our oceans. With more than 37% of shark and ray species threatened with extinction, and pelagic sharks declining by over 70% in just 50 years, these protections could not come soon enough.
Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, hailed the decisions as a landmark victory. “This is a landmark victory, and it belongs to the Parties who championed these protections. Countries across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia came together in a powerful show of leadership and solidarity, passing every shark and ray proposal tabled for the CoP covering over 70 species.”
He emphasized the urgency of these decisions: “These animals are vital to the health and balance of our oceans, shaping entire marine ecosystems’ integrity and underpinning cultural heritage for Indigenous Peoples and local communities all over the world.”
The Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) has been a pivotal moment for global conservation efforts. With 185 countries gathered in Samarkand, the decisions made here will shape the future of some of the most threatened species on the planet.
For many shark and ray species already in freefall, these landmark decisions at CoP20 may mean the difference between recovery and extinction. The protections agreed upon will not only help safeguard these species but also contribute to the overall health and resilience of marine ecosystems worldwide.
As the conference draws to a close, the global community has sent a clear message: the international trade driving the decline of sharks and rays will no longer be tolerated. The road to recovery will be long, but with these new protections in place, there is hope for a future where these vital species thrive once more.