CITES Sharks and Rays

Photo provided by Stan Shea

The Convention on the International Trade in Endangered Species of Fauna and Flora (CITES), has long been held as one of the most ambitious, legally binding international environmental agreements, with 183 Parties managing the international trade of over 35,000 plants and animals. CITES is at times able to be more effective than other international conventions due to its decisive nature, measures can be adopted by 2/3 majority and because of its compliance process, which acts as a strong deterrent against continuing unmanaged trade of listed species.

For species that are the most endangered, an Appendix I listing, effectively a trade ban, is usually adopted. For species who have suffered significant declines but some trade is still possible, an Appendix II listing is more likely—provided that governments prove the catch was both legal and sustainable before export.

Most CITES-listed shark and ray species are listed in Appendix II.

 Why Sharks?

Over 50% of shark and ray species are threatened or near threatened with extinction. This is largely due to unsustainable fishing practices coupled with high demand in the international fin trade.

For many species and for too long, measures by Regional Fisheries Management Organization (RFMOs) and domestic management had been piecemeal and failed to cover large parts of their range. CITES listings for these species sparked governments across the world to develop a wide range of effective implementation tools and to host workshops and trainings on the importance of shark conservation to roll out these tools. Such efforts have in turn driven the establishment of domestic regulations to better manage CITES listed species within their waters.

It is clear that CITES works for sharks and rays, and that there are ample, effective tools available as well as strong benefits from CITES Appendix II listings. Such listings should be extended to other at risk shark and ray species in order to encourage similar protections or sustainable fisheries management. Sharks help maintain balance in marine ecosystems. When their populations decline, unpredictable consequences in the ocean environment may result, including the possible collapse of commercially important fisheries.