Credit: © Steve De Neef. Tubbataha Reefs Expedition Shark
Whale sharks are worth more alive than dead. Their global population has dropped by more than 50%. Despite some national protections, illegal trade and ship strikes continue while climate change reduces their core habitat. CITES Governments must strengthen international safeguards.

New York, June 30, 2025 – Urgently needed proposals to protect the world’s most threatened shark and ray species that are freefalling toward extinction, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, wedgefish and manta rays, were published by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

These proposals reflect what scientists and governments have known for years: For some shark and ray species sustainable trade is not feasible, particularly due to their unique biological characteristics. The strongest protections are the only path forward, just as is the case for other iconic wildlife species such as whales and sea turtles, that like whale sharks and manta rays have far higher value to coastal communities as a tourism resource, rather than traded for their fins and gills.

The proposals, to be considered by countries meeting at the 20th Meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES CoP20) this November, would list these species on CITES Appendix I.  Appendix I will provide the highest level of protection and will strictly prohibit the commercial trade in whale sharks, oceanic whitetips and manta and devil rays. Temporary trade prohibitions via ‘zero quota’ proposals have also been tabled for Critically Endangered wedgefish and guitarfish rays; these less restrictive measures will have the same impact as an Appendix I listing, by not allowing commercial trade.

Appendix I and zero quota listings will help close enforcement gaps, stop illegal trade, and allow governments and communities to make sure their keystone marine species are safe from overexploitation and export.

Two additional proposals seek to offer CITES Appendix II protections to species traded for their oil and meat – an important step as over the last decade CITES action has focused on the shark fin trade, and with 90% of that trade now regulated, focus must shift to other drivers of shark overfishing. One proposal targets deepwater gulper sharks to ensure continued trade in their valuable liver oil used in high end cosmetics is legal and sustainable, an essential step given that these deep-sea animals grow incredibly slowly and are vulnerable to overfishing. A second focuses on smoothound sharks that are traded internationally for their prized meat – used in dishes from fish and chips to ceviche around the world – they are increasingly overfished to supply this demand.

In total over 70 sharks and rays are proposed for CITES listing action at CoP20 via 7 listing proposals, with more than 50 governments adding their names to these proposals—showing the growing recognition that the world’s shark and ray populations need strong conservation action now if they are to survive.

“Just like the iconic land mammals afforded this strictest CITES trade protection, such as tigers or gorillas, these iconic marine animals that are already on the edge of extinction must receive the same protections,” said Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society. “The world is at a tipping point for sharks and rays. More than 37% of shark and ray species are threatened with extinction, rising to more than 70% for species in international trade. We must act now to prevent irreversible losses. Recent studies in the world’s shark and ray trade hubs reveal that CITES-listed sharks and rays are still entering trade in alarming numbers – stronger action is clearly justified. These scientifically justified proposals meet all CITES criteria. They offer a chance to act before it’s too late; before we lose these species and the benefits they can bring to coastal communities globally.”

WCS praises the leadership of the Governments of Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Senegal, Benin, Maldives, The European Union and its Member States, and the United Kingdom in leading these proposals, and WCS will work with them, and with partners around the world to ensure the adoption of these proposals at the CITES CoP20 meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Nov. 24-Dec. 5.

CITES is an international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that the international trade of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. It regulates or bans trade in species listed in its appendices based on their conservation status. 

WCS extends appreciation to the funding partners that supported this work including the Shark Conservation Fund (SCF) and the Roe Foundation.

A few facts on these species:

  • Oceanic whitetip sharks are vanishing. Once one of the most abundant sharks in the open ocean, they’ve declined by over 90%. Over 90% of their fins in trade are likely illegal. CITES Appendix I is urgently needed.
  • Whale sharks are worth more alive than dead, due to their tourism attraction. Their global population has dropped by over 50%. Despite some national protections, illegal trade and ship strikes continue and climate change is reducing their core habitat. CITES must strengthen international safeguards.
  • Wedgefish and giant guitarfish are the most threatened families of all sharks and rays, with their fins commanding the highest price of any species in global shark fin markets. A zero quota will prevent commercial trade and help stop these declines driving them to extinction.
  • Manta and devil rays can’t keep up. With one pup every 2–3 years, these rays cannot withstand commercial trade. Population declines over 90% and continued illegal trade make Appendix I listing essential.
  • Smoothounds are a group of small coastal sharks prized for their meat, but also traded for their fins. The use of their meat in dishes from fish and chips in Australia to Ceviche in Latin America is driving overfishing, with several species in the family already Endangered- this family, that is the core of the global shark meat trade clearly needs CITES sustainability oversight via Appendix II listing.
  • Gulper sharks face a new and growing threat. Recently identified as being traded for their high-value liver oil used in luxury cosmetics, these deepwater species have already suffered declines of over 80% in some regions. With slow reproduction and no trade controls, a CITES Appendix II listing is urgently needed to prevent further exploitation.

 

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