Governments meeting at the recent CITES summit have agreed on a major expansion of protections for sharks and rays, marking what conservation groups describe as the most comprehensive advance for these animals in the convention’s history. The decisions significantly tighten international trade controls for more than 70 species, many of which are under severe pressure from overfishing and demand for fins, meat and other products.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, regulates cross-border trade to ensure it does not threaten species’ survival. At the summit, all shark and ray proposals brought forward were adopted, reflecting a rare level of global consensus on the urgent need to address population declines.

What was agreed

The new measures place additional shark and ray species under Appendix II of CITES. This does not ban trade outright, but requires exporting countries to demonstrate that any international trade is legal, traceable and sustainable. In practice, it introduces permit systems, scientific assessments and reporting obligations that many species previously lacked.

The listings cover a wide range of sharks and rays, including species targeted by industrial fisheries as well as those caught as bycatch. Together, the decisions mean that the vast majority of sharks and rays in international trade are now subject to CITES controls, closing long-standing gaps in global oversight.

Why it matters

Sharks and rays are among the most threatened vertebrates in the ocean. Slow growth, late maturity and low reproductive rates make them particularly vulnerable to overexploitation. International trade has been a major driver of decline, often operating across complex supply chains that are difficult to regulate without coordinated global rules.

By strengthening trade controls, the CITES decisions aim to reduce illegal and unsustainable exploitation while giving range states greater leverage to manage fisheries responsibly. Conservation scientists emphasise that effective implementation could help stabilise populations and support recovery over time.

From listings to real protection

While the decisions are widely welcomed, attention is now turning to implementation. Listing species is only the first step; meaningful protection depends on national capacity to enforce regulations, monitor catches and assess sustainability. Several countries, including major fishing and trading nations, have already begun investing in training, data systems and enforcement to meet their new obligations.

For divers, researchers and conservationists, the outcome represents a significant step forward. It signals growing recognition that sharks and rays are not just commodities, but keystone species essential to healthy marine ecosystems.

The challenge ahead will be ensuring that the promises made at the summit translate into lasting protection in the water.