Story perspectives
New CITES Protections for Sharks and Rays Established
12/2/2025
30 4
1 of 1
Story summary
- The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) at CoP20 established new protections for sharks and rays.
- Proposals backed by more than 50 governments include a full trade ban on the oceanic whitetip sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks.
- Wedgefish and giant guitarfish will have zero export quotas.
- Gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks will fall under Appendix II.
