Already during the last Conference of the Parties (CoP19) in December 2022, there was a major breakthrough for the protection of sharks: all 54 requiem shark species and almost all hammerhead shark species were added to Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), which permits commercial international trade only after a non-detriment finding by the exporting state. Now, at the current CoP20 in Samarkand (Uzbekistan), further measures have been implemented: the whale shark (Rhincodon typus), the oceanic whitetip shark (Carcharhinus longimanus), all three manta ray species, and all mobula ray species have been elevated to an even higher protection status. They are now listed in Appendix I, which constitutes a general ban on international trade in these species.
This will have implications, as manta ray gills and the exceptionally large fins of whale sharks are highly sought-after and expensive commodities in traditional medicine and cuisine in Asia. The oceanic whitetip shark (also known as the longimanus after its scientific name) has fallen victim to decades of persistent fishing pressure, particularly as its fins are also in high demand in Asia.
Furthermore, 18 species of guitarfish have been placed on Appendix I, following the listing of 30 guitarfish species on Appendix II since 2019. This halts the acquisition of wild-caught individuals by many public aquariums worldwide: since these animals do not reproduce readily in captivity, the aquarium trade in these ray species is now effectively at an end.
These are all crucial and positive steps in the right direction for the protection of shark and ray populations. They exert pressure on Regional Fisheries Management Organisations (RFMOs), but also on the European Commission, which must take further measures to protect sharks and rays.
ElasmOcean must unfortunately note that this has not functioned satisfactorily to date. For instance, blue sharks (Prionace glauca) continue to be landed in Vigo (Spain) almost daily, totalling 907 tonnes in 2024, despite the blue shark being listed in Appendix II, which requires proof of a stable population. Scientifically, such proof cannot realistically be established, a fact the EU knowingly ignores. Under pressure from the Spanish fishing lobby, the EU continues to insist on a "healthy" blue shark population and thus "sustainable shark fishing" by heavily subsidised longline fleets, primarily from Spain and Portugal.
We are therefore very keen to see whether the EU will react to this further step taken at CoP20, and whether more action on shark conservation will finally occur in Europe. Regrettably, our optimism is currently limited. We will remain vigilant.
