NextFin News - The 20th Conference of the Parties (CoP20) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), held from November 24 to December 5, 2025, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, concluded with landmark decisions introducing robust global trade protections for sharks and rays. These measures address the accelerating declines of over 70 vulnerable species, with the goal of curbing international commercial exploitation and promoting their recovery.
The Conference, attended by representatives from 185 countries, voted overwhelmingly to uplist several critical species to Appendix I of CITES, effectively banning all international commercial trade. Species granted this highest level of protection include the gigantic whale shark (Rhincodon typus), all manta and devil rays (Mobulidae spp.), and the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus). In addition, zero export quotas were imposed on critically endangered wedgefish and giant guitarfish, suspending all wild-caught exports. Appendix II listings, requiring regulated trade with sustainability safeguards, were adopted for species such as gulper sharks and smooth-hound sharks. These species are heavily exploited for fins, meat, liver oil, and gill plates, often fueling lucrative and largely unregulated markets.
Leading nations such as Panama, Maldives, Ecuador, Brazil, the United Kingdom, and members of the European Union spearheaded these proposals, which passed with strong multi-lateral support—some by consensus, others by substantial majorities exceeding 80%. As Luke Warwick, Director of Shark and Ray Conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), emphasized, "these decisions reflect a powerful show of global leadership and provide hope for reversing devastating population collapses that threaten the integrity of ocean ecosystems worldwide." According to WCS and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), over 37% of shark and ray species are currently at risk of extinction, with pelagic shark populations declining by more than 70% in the last 50 years.
This decisive action comes amid mounting scientific evidence and widespread concern over the continued unsustainable exploitation of these keystone species. Despite previous CITES listings and national protections, critical populations have failed to rebound, largely due to persistent illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) trade, and loopholes in the enforcement of existing measures. For example, manta ray populations—uplisted previously in 2013 and 2016—have continued to decline by as much as 92% in some regions, driven by high demand for their gill plates in traditional medicines.
The newly adopted trade regulations aim to close these gaps by imposing total commercial trade bans or requiring rigorous non-detriment findings before exports, backed by international monitoring and reporting obligations. These provisions harness the legal and enforcement strength of CITES, the only international treaty capable of regulating wildlife trade at this scale and with binding compliance mechanisms.
From an ecological perspective, protecting sharks and rays is critical not only for their species survival but for maintaining oceanic ecosystem balance. As apex predators and important ecological engineers, their decline disrupts food webs, reduces marine biodiversity, and may contribute to the degradation of coral reefs and fisheries. Economically, these species underpin fisheries, tourism, and cultural heritage, especially for coastal communities and Indigenous Peoples who rely on healthy marine environments for livelihoods and traditions.
Looking ahead, the implementation of these CITES decisions requires coordinated national enforcement, capacity building in monitoring and compliance, and addressing ongoing challenges such as IUU fishing and market demand dynamics. Countries must update regulatory frameworks to reflect the new appendices, invest in training and customs enforcement, and foster international cooperation to combat illegal trade networks.
The ripple effects of these protections may also influence global seafood markets by reducing the availability of shark and ray products, potentially incentivizing sustainable fisheries management and promoting alternative livelihoods. However, enforcement challenges in regions with limited resources and governance gaps represent significant risks to the effectiveness of these measures.
Furthermore, these developments at CITES CoP20 are likely to galvanize additional international environmental policies and corporate commitments towards ocean stewardship. The heightened visibility of the plight of sharks and rays increases the urgency for integrated conservation strategies combining trade regulation, marine protected areas, and sustainable fishing quotas.
In sum, the CoP20 outcomes represent a historic and comprehensive step towards addressing one of the most pressing biodiversity crises in marine environments. Sustained global cooperation and proactive policy enforcement will be essential to translate these trade protections into tangible population recoveries and secure the resilience of ocean ecosystems for the future.
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