Sharks & Rays Get Global Protection Boost

Delegates at the CITES World Species Conference, held in Samarkand, have reached an agreement to bolster international protections for various shark and ray species. These crucial decisions aim to curb the decline of vulnerable marine populations by regulating international trade.

Notable outcomes include the imposition of commercial trade bans for endangered species such as devil rays and whale sharks. Additionally, strict trading restrictions have been implemented for other shark groups, including smooth-hound sharks and dogfish, and zero export quotas are now in effect for certain guitarfish caught in the wild.

Conservationists have broadly welcomed these resolutions, noting that the protected species possess slow reproduction rates, making them highly susceptible to overfishing. The enhanced protections are expected to contribute significantly to the survival of these marine predators, aligning with CITES' mission to ensure the survival of endangered species through managed trade.