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New CITES Protections for Sharks and Rays Aim to Curb Global Trade
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– Updated December 13, 2025, 22:38:08 EST
International trade regulations for sharks and rays have been substantially strengthened following decisions made at the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) in Panama City, Panama, in November 2023. These new protections aim to address the escalating threat to these species, driven by a global trade estimated to be worth over 2 billion euros according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Species Added to CITES Appendices
Several shark and ray species were added to CITES Appendices, each level conferring different degrees of protection. Gulper sharks, targeted for their livers (used for squalene, an oil used in cosmetics and health supplements), along with smoothhound and tope sharks (primarily fished for their meat), were listed under CITES’ Appendix II.
Appendix II listing requires CITES parties to strictly regulate international trade, ensuring it is traceable and biologically sustainable. This means countries exporting these species must demonstrate that the trade isn’t detrimental to the species’ survival. The listing covers 20 species of gulper sharks and 30 species of smoothhounds,grouped together due to the difficulty in distinguishing their products in trade.
More critically endangered species, including wedgefish and giant guitarfish – large, shark-like rays prized for their highly valuable fins – are now subject to a temporary suspension of trade.
The most critically important change involves oceanic whitetips, whale sharks, manta rays, and devil rays. These species have been added to CITES Appendix I, meaning they face a high risk of extinction due to trade and are afforded the treaty’s highest level of protection. International trade in these species is now prohibited, except for non-commercial purposes.
Understanding the CITES appendices
CITES categorizes species into three Appendices, each with different implications for trade:
- Appendix I: Species threatened with extinction.Trade is generally prohibited except under exceptional circumstances.
- Appendix II: Species that may become threatened with extinction. Trade is permitted but strictly regulated.
- Appendix III: Species that require cooperation to control trade in a specific country.
The Scale of the Shark and Ray Trade
The global trade in shark and ray meat, fins, and other products is significant and growing.The WWF estimates the trade to be worth over 2 billion euros annually. Demand is driven by
