Over 70 Shark and Ray Species Win Historic Trade Protections
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📰 The quick summary: More than 70 shark and ray species gained unprecedented international trade protections at the CITES convention, giving these endangered marine predators a fighting chance against extinction.
📈 One key stat: Pelagic shark populations have declined by more than 70 percent over the last 50 years, showing the urgent need for these new global protections.
💬 One key quote: “These new protections are a powerful step toward ensuring these species have a real chance at recovery,” said Diego Cardeñosa, an assistant professor at Florida International University and lead scientist at the school’s Predator Ecology and Conservation Lab.
1️⃣ The big picture: For the first time ever, global governments have agreed to widespread international trade bans and restrictions for more than 70 shark and ray species threatened with extinction. The landmark measures were adopted at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) meeting in Uzbekistan last week. These regulations target the nearly $1 billion annual trade in shark meat, fins, and other products that has pushed many species toward extinction. Sharks and rays, which take much longer to mature and produce fewer young than most fish species, now face varying levels of protection – from strict trade regulations to complete international trade bans.
2️⃣ Why is this good news: These protections mark a significant shift in marine conservation, extending the same level of concern previously reserved for land animals and charismatic marine species to sharks and rays. The unanimous support from CITES’ member countries demonstrates unprecedented global commitment to shark conservation. Species like oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays now receive the highest level of protection, completely prohibiting their international trade. The new listings will strengthen countries’ ability to inspect, detect, and prosecute illegal shipments, closing loopholes that previously allowed protected species to slip through enforcement gaps.
3️⃣ What’s next: Governments must now invest in identification tools, capacity building, and routine monitoring to effectively implement these new protections. Countries need to create or strengthen national protections to conserve these endangered species. Enforcement agencies will need to close gaps in complex supply chains to prevent illegal trade that has undermined previous protection efforts.
Read the full story here: Inside Climate News – Sharks and Rays Gain Landmark Protections as Nations Move to Curb International Trade
