SAMARKAND, UZBEKISTAN (Nov 24, 2025) – As the 20th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to CITES (CoP20) opens today, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) is urging governments to act decisively to halt the accelerating collapse of global shark and ray populations.

More than 37% of all shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction. For species in international trade, that risk nearly doubles, and new genetic testing from major markets shows far more shark products in circulation than appear in official CITES records, revealing pervasive illegal and unreported trade. Globally, populations of pelagic sharks living on the high seas have collapsed by over 70% in just 50 years, and reef sharks are now functionally extinct on one in five coral reefs surveyed worldwide. Without immediate, coordinated action, many species will disappear entirely.

The proposals before Parties this month – co-sponsored by more than 50 governments – represent the most comprehensive suite of shark and ray protections ever brought to the Convention. Those include proposals for:

  • Appendix I: Oceanic whitetip shark; all manta and devil rays; whale shark
  • Zero export quotas: All wedgefish and giant guitarfish species
  • Appendix II: Gulper sharks; smoothhound and tope sharks

Adoption would bring nearly the entire global fin trade and the majority of shark meat trade under CITES control.

Said Luke Warwick, Director of WCS Shark & Ray Conservation: “CoP20 is a test of global will. Species like oceanic whitetip sharks, manta rays, and whale sharks cannot withstand commercial trade. The science is unequivocal, and the tools and support to implement CITES already exist for governments once listings pass. CITES Parties must act before these animals disappear from our oceans entirely.”

The proposed actions would also align CITES with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) and all major tuna Regional Fisheries Management Organizations, which already prohibit retention of many of these species. Free ID guides, genetic tools, and enforcement resources are available to governments to support rapid implementation.

Said Dr. Susan Lieberman, WCS Vice President of International Policy: “Recent science shows that we are quickly approaching a conservation tipping point for sharks and rays. We are running out of time to enact and enforce global measures that will prevent widespread extinctions. These proposed listings bring CITES in line with other global commitments and send a clear signal that the world intends to protect these amazing sharks and rays before it is too late. This is how we turn the tide.”

Explanation of CITES Appendices HERE.

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