Countries back strong new trade limits for sharks and rays at CITES summit

Delegates at a global summit to update international wildlife trade rules have agreed on sweeping new protections for more than 70 shark and ray species. The move marks a significant step toward effectively tightening the legal trade in some of the world’s most threatened marine life. The meeting in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, running through this week, brings together representatives of 185 governments (including the European Union) that are parties to CITES, the global wildlife trade convention.

Measures they’ve adopted include ending the commercial trade in some species that had previously been subjected to regulated trade, by moving them from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. Among the most notable relistings were those for the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), whale shark (Rhincodon typus), and all manta and devil rays (family Mobulidae).

These species, targeted globally for their fins, gill plates and liver oil, will now benefit from the most stringent trade restriction under the convention. Apart from sawfish (family Pristidae), listed in Appendix I since 2007, this marks the first time that CITES has applied full commercial trade prohibitions to widely traded shark and ray species.

“If effectively implemented, these listings will make a meaningful contribution to the conservation of these species, leading to stronger protections and improved fisheries management at a national level,” Rhett Bennett, program manager for the Wildlife Conservation Society’s Western Indian Ocean shark conservation program, told Mongabay in an email. Bennett added that all seven proposals received broad support from parties, reflecting “growing concern for the status of sharks and rays.” Most sharks and rays reproduce slowly, which makes the impacts of overfishing, habitat loss, pollution and rising sea temperatures all the more dangerous for long-term population health.

Many shark and ray populations have been steadily declining over the past 50 years, and more than a third of species are at risk of extinction, according to the IUCN, the global wildlife conservation authority. “Shark and ray species are suffering drastic population declines,” Barbara Slee, senior program manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), told Mongabay by email.

“Preventing, in the case of Appendix 1, or monitoring and regulating in the case of Appendix 2, the international trade will relieve the commercial pressure on these species.” Other proposals adopted include establishing zero annual export quotas for wild-caught giant guitarfish (genus Glaucostegus) and wedgefish (genus Rhynchobatus), which are heavily exploited for their fins. Newly adopted Appendix II listings cover gulper sharks (family Centrophoridae), targeted for their liver, whose oil is used in cosmetics; tope sharks (Galeorhinus galeus), smoothhound sharks (genus Mustelus), and nearly 30 additional houndshark species.

All species listed in the CITES appendices are subject to trade controls, including requirements for permits and certificates for export, import and reexport. Before any trade can occur, parties must ensure that products meet sustainability, legality and traceability standards. Banner image: Oceanic whitetip shark, one of the most threatened shark species. Image courtesy of Rald Sonntag @IFAW.