CITES Proposals Aim To Stop Shark Extinction Spiral

Forbes

3 days ago

A view of oceanic whitetip reef shark, who faces danger of extinction due to climate change and ... More human pollution.
Over 70 species of sharks and rays may soon receive their strongest lifeline yet. One June 30, 2025, governments around the world formally proposed urgent protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora for some of the most threatened marine animals on the planet, including whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, manta rays and wedgefish. These CITES proposals reflect what scientists have warned for years: for certain sharks and rays, sustainable trade simply isn't possible due to their slow reproduction, long lifespans and vulnerability to overfishing. The only viable path forward is to stop international commercial trade entirely and shift focus to protecting these species in the wild, where they offer far more value to local economies alive than they do as just merely a sum of their parts (i.e. fins, gills or meat).
The proposed listings, which will be debated at CITES' 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) in Uzbekistan this upcoming November, recommend moving species like the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), manta and devil rays, and oceanic whitetip sharks (Carcharhinus longimanus) to Appendix I. This category provides the highest level of protection under international law, effectively banning commercial international trade. Other species, like the Critically Endangered wedgefish and guitarfish rays, would receive temporary commercial bans through a 'zero quota' listing, an approach that acts similarly to Appendix I by closing off legal trade routes.
Sharks and rays play vital roles in ocean ecosystems, but they're increasingly being pushed to the edge. More than 37% of all shark and ray species are threatened with extinction. That number jumps to over 70% for species commonly involved in international trade. Oceanic whitetips, for example, were once among the most abundant open-ocean sharks. Now, their populations have crashed by over 90%, with an equally staggering percentage of their fins in trade likely coming from illegal sources. Whale sharks, despite some national protections, still face ship strikes, habitat loss, and illegal harvest, with their global numbers cut in half. For wedgefish and giant guitarfish, the situation is even more severe, with their fins fetching the highest prices in shark fin markets; their families are considered the most threatened among all sharks and rays. Even manta and devil rays, rightfully dubbed the 'gentle giants of the sea,' are not safe. With females birthing just one pup every two to three years, these rays cannot keep pace with commercial demand. Some populations have declined by over 90%, and illegal trade continues despite existing protections. Listing them under Appendix I is seen as the most effective way to ensure all of them survive.
But it's not just about fins and gills for these individuals. Two additional proposals seek to list species on Appendix II, which regulates trade rather than bans it, to make sure it's sustainable. One focuses on gulper sharks, a deepwater species now being fished for their liver oil, used in high-end cosmetics. Like other shark species, gulpers grow slowly and reproduce even slower, making them highly vulnerable to overexploitation. A second proposal targets smoothound sharks, small coastal species prized for their meat in dishes like fish and chips in Australia and ceviche across Latin America. These sharks are increasingly overfished, and several species in this group are already classified as Endangered. Regulation under CITES Appendix II would require documentation proving that international trade is legal and not detrimental to wild populations.
Even manta and devil rays, often seen as gentle giants of the sea, are not safe. With females ... More birthing just one pup every two to three years, these rays cannot keep pace with commercial demand.
Altogether, there are seven proposals representing over 70 species that have been submitted, backed by more than 50 governments (including Panama, Ecuador, Brazil, Senegal, Benin, the European Union and the United Kingdom). Could this be a sign that the world is finally recognizing that the unchecked trade in sharks and rays cannot continue without severe ecological consequences? Conservationists hope so. CITES has long served as a critical backstop for wildlife, from elephants and tigers to sea turtles and whales. The case for sharks and rays is no different. Their slow life histories and key ecological roles make them just as deserving of the highest level of international protection. And unlike extractive industries that rely on killing these animals, tourism based on live sharks and rays — like whale shark diving — offers sustainable, long-term economic benefits to coastal communities. '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,' said Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation for the Wildlife Conservation Society. '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.'
The stakes are clear. If these proposals are adopted in November, they could represent a major turning point for marine conservation. If not, we risk watching these species vanish within our lifetimes, taking with them not just the balance of our oceans… but also the livelihoods, traditions and futures of countless communities around the globe.