Global Powers Forge Historic Pact to Shield Sharks and Rays from Unsustainable Trade

6 hours ago7 min read

In an unprecedented move for marine conservation, a global coalition of nations has enacted stringent, landmark protections to regulate the international commerce of sharks and rays. The decision, reached by parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), mandates sweeping trade bans and controls for dozens of species of requiem sharks, hammerhead sharks, and guitarfish—animals whose populations have been decimated by unsustainable fishing.This action directly confronts a primary driver of their decline: the lucrative global trade in fins, meat, and other products, which has pushed many populations to the brink. Conservationists hail the agreement as a transformative victory, potentially the most significant in history for shark and ray preservation, capable of reshaping market forces across a billion-dollar industry.The protections underscore the critical ecological role of these apex predators as keystone species essential for ocean health, from maintaining fish populations to bolstering coral reef resilience. Implementation now presents a formidable challenge, requiring robust enforcement, species identification training for customs officials worldwide, and support for fishing communities transitioning to sustainable practices. By placing sustainability at the core of international trade, this pact marks a pivotal shift toward recognizing the ocean not as an inexhaustible resource, but as a fragile system demanding coordinated global stewardship.

#sharks

#rays

#international trade

#conservation

#CITES

#wildlife protection

#lead focus news