Governments support increased protections for sharks due to concerns about overfishing

At a recent wildlife trade summit, governments agreed to enhance protections for more than 70 species of sharks and rays due to fears that overfishing is pushing some toward extinction. The decisions, made Friday at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora in Uzbekistan, include bans on trading oceanic whitetip sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks.

The new rules also tighten oversight for gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks. These species can still be traded, but only if it is proven that they come from legal, sustainable, and traceable sources. Additionally, governments agreed to establish zero-annual export quotas for certain guitarfishes and wedgefishes, effectively halting most legal international trade of these species.

Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, described the outcome as a landmark victory and credited the countries that supported the protections. Nations across Latin America, Africa, the Pacific, and Asia united to pass every proposal for sharks and rays, he said.

Conservationists highlighted the urgency of these measures, pointing to the overexploitation of sharks and rays for their fins, meat, oil, and gills. They warn that the global trade, worth billions of dollars, is unsustainable, with over 37% of shark and ray species now threatened with extinction.

Barbara Slee, senior program manager at the International Fund for Animal Welfare, emphasized the imbalance: Sharks have existed in our oceans for millions of years, yet humans kill over 100 million each year. These new protections recognize their value beyond commercial exploitation.

Sharks have been among the most successful species in gaining new protections under the treaty. At the 2022 conference in Panama, more than 90 shark species received trade safeguards for the first time, including 54 requiem shark species, the bonnethead shark, three hammerhead species, and 37 guitarfish species.

The international wildlife trade treaty, established in 1975 in Washington, D.C., has been credited with reducing illegal trade in ivory, rhino horns, whales, and sea turtles. However, critics note its reliance on financially limited developing nations to police an estimated $10 billion illegal trade market.

In 2025, while governments rejected proposals to weaken trade rules for elephants and rhinos, they did approve eased restrictions on saiga antelope horn from Kazakhstan. Conservationists worried this could encourage poaching in neighboring countries, but the saigas status improved from critically endangered to near threatened due to better law enforcement and habitat protection, allowing their numbers to rebound significantly.

Analysis: Landmark Step in Shark and Ray Protection

The recent agreements made at the wildlife trade summit in Uzbekistan represent a crucial step in addressing the overexploitation of sharks and rays. With over 70 species now under enhanced protection, this decision marks a pivotal moment in the conservation of marine life. By banning the trade of certain species like the oceanic whitetip sharks and manta rays, the international community has signaled its commitment to reversing the tide of overfishing that threatens these creatures with extinction.

The increased oversight for species like the gulper sharks and tope sharks, requiring proof of legal, sustainable, and traceable sources, introduces a vital mechanism to ensure that trade does not undermine conservation efforts. However, the effectiveness of this measure depends heavily on the enforcement capabilities of each country involved. While bans and quotas are significant, robust monitoring and transparent supply chains are essential to prevent loopholes in these regulations.

Conservationists have rightfully highlighted the urgent need for action, given that more than 37% of shark and ray species are now threatened with extinction due to the multibillion-dollar trade in their fins, meat, and other body parts. This trade not only harms marine ecosystems but also destabilizes the food chain in oceans worldwide. The decision to establish zero-annual export quotas for guitarfishes and wedgefishes, which effectively halts most international trade in these species, is an important victory in this fight.

However, the summit also underscores a significant challenge: the reliance on developing nations to enforce these measures. The ongoing issue of illegal wildlife trade, estimated at $10 billion annually, reveals the broader struggles of international wildlife protection frameworks. Though successful in some areas, like the reduction in ivory and rhino horn trafficking, the system’s vulnerabilities remain apparent, especially when financial constraints hamper effective law enforcement.

In conclusion, while these new protections are a significant advancement, much remains to be done. The international community must continue to work together to ensure these measures are not only implemented but also strengthened through improved enforcement and cooperation. As the trade in sharks and rays continues to pose a serious threat to marine biodiversity, the success of this summit will be judged by its long-term impact on both policy and the protection of these critical species.

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• Governments endorse greater protections for sharks amid concerns about overfishing