Shark and ray protections reach unprecedented levels as a global treaty bans commercial trade in vulnerable ocean species.
Shark and ray protections achieved an unprecedented moment in November 2025. More than 70 species received stronger safeguards at a United Nations conference. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of Wild Fauna and Flora made the decision.
Whale sharks and all manta and devil rays moved to Appendix I. This represents the highest level of protection under CITES. The shark and ray protection designation bans all commercial international trade in these species and their products.
The decisions followed approval of Appendix I status for oceanic whitetip sharks. These critically endangered predators gained the strongest protections available. Together, the moves mark a turning point for marine conservation.
Manta and devil rays face severe pressures worldwide. All nine known species now face extinction threats, according to the October 2025 update of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. These filter-feeding rays sweep through water using specialized gill plates. They strain zooplankton and small fish from the ocean.
Manta rays were first listed on Appendix II in 2013. The remainder of the mobulid family followed in 2016. Despite these protections, the population continued to decline. Some regions saw drops of up to 92%. Trade in gill plates persisted despite regulations.
Gill plates from these rays sell in parts of Asia as unproven health tonics. No scientific or historical evidence supports the claimed medicinal benefits. Demand continues, and it is increasingly moving online. Recent research from The Manta Trust shows rising prices and expanding digital marketplaces.
Processed seafood is often impossible to trace back to a specific species. Once fins, fillets, or meat are separated from the animal, the paper trail goes fuzzy. That loophole makes it easier to circumvent international wildlife rules and harder for inspectors to perform their duties. For consumers, it means endangered species can quietly pass through global markets, mislabeled or sold under generic names, without raising alarms.
Whale shark fins still show up in trade, even though these gentle giants are already endangered. Other species, including guitarfishes, wedgefishes, tope sharks, smooth-hounds, and deep-sea gulper sharks, are now facing strict limits or sustainability checks. Without these safeguards, demand for fish and chips, cosmetics, and luxury products can drive population crashes of up to 80% before most people realize what has gone.
These sharks grow slowly and mature late in life. They produce very few young throughout their lives. Populations recover slowly once depleted. This makes them particularly vulnerable to overfishing.
Manta and devil rays display remarkable life history traits. Males reach adulthood around the age of nine. Females mature at roughly 15 years. They give birth to just one pup every two to seven years. Some individuals live half a century or more.
These reproductive patterns leave populations unable to rebound from fishing pressure. Even modest catches can drive populations downward. Seasonal mass gatherings create spectacular natural displays. However, they also make species easy targets for fishers.
International trade in manta and devil ray meat compounds problems. The meat gets dried and salted for transport. Consumption occurs in at least 35 countries. This adds pressure to species already in steep decline.
Many regions experienced population declines of 80-99% within one to two generations. This happened despite existing protections under CITES Appendix II. The Convention on Migratory Species also provided safeguards. National laws in more than 40 countries offered additional protection.
Global estimates suggest roughly 265,000 manta and devil rays get caught annually. This occurs across 92 countries. These numbers far exceed sustainable limits. The Appendix I listing represents a landmark win for these species.
The CITES Conference of Parties brought together member nations. Proposals reflected robust scientific evidence and widespread international concern. Conservation groups welcomed the outcomes as essential steps toward preventing extinctions.
Panama led efforts to uplist oceanic whitetip sharks to Appendix I. The Maldives spearheaded whale shark protections. Ecuador championed the uplisting of manta and devil rays. Brazil and the European Union led proposals for tope and smooth-hound sharks. The United Kingdom and the EU proposed gulper shark protections.
Oceanic whitetip sharks received the required two-thirds majority vote. Support reached 83%. Proposals for manta and devil rays and whale sharks gained approval by consensus. This means no country opposed the measures.
Zero-quota proposals for guitarfish came from Benin. Senegal led wedgefish protection efforts. Both received strong support with 82% and 85% approval, respectively.
The consensus decision to implement additional shark and ray protections demonstrates extraordinary international solidarity. Member nations voted to protect some of the ocean’s most threatened species. Countries recognized that action must happen now to prevent extinctions.
Governments, communities, and enforcement agencies worldwide must work together. These efforts will ensure that ocean giants have a future in our seas. The protection of sharks and rays depends on global follow-through.
Experts stress that momentum must shift toward implementation. Nations need to bolster national protections, particularly in high-mortality hotspots. Enforcing retention bans becomes essential. Eliminating incidental catch allowances helps reduce deaths. Closing legal loopholes prevents exploitation.
Sustainable, community-led approaches are proven to be most effective. Investments in monitoring strengthen enforcement capabilities. Traceability technologies help track trade and identify violations. These tools will be essential for turning votes into real-world recovery.Conservation organizations worked for years building the case for enhanced shark and ray protections. Sharks and rays deserve recognition beyond their use as fishery commodities. These ancient animals play crucial roles in their ecosystems. They maintain healthy ocean food webs. Their conservation benefits countless other species.
