Sharks & Rays Win Big: Landmark Trade Curbs Approved – A Deep Dive
For the first time in history, global governments have reached a consensus on widespread international trade bans and restrictions for sharks and rays, species increasingly driven towards extinction. This landmark decision, reached at the 20th Conference of the Parties (COP20) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), signals a pivotal moment in marine conservation. Over 70 shark and ray species, including iconic creatures like oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, and manta rays, now benefit from enhanced safeguards. This article will explore the details of these new protections, the driving forces behind them, and the challenges that remain in ensuring the survival of these vital ocean predators.
The Silent Crisis: Why Sharks and Rays Need Protection
Sharks and rays, as apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining the health and balance of marine ecosystems. However, decades of unsustainable fishing and trade have decimated their populations. According to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the global market for shark and ray products is worth nearly $1 billion annually. This demand, coupled with the species’ slow reproductive rates, has led to a “silent crisis” – a decline often unnoticed until it reaches critical levels.
Overfishing and Slow Reproduction Rates
Unlike commercially fished species like tuna, which are subject to stringent regulations, sharks and rays have historically lacked comparable trade controls. This is particularly alarming given their biological vulnerabilities. Many fish species produce millions of eggs each year, while sharks and rays mature slowly and produce significantly fewer offspring. For example, manta rays may only give birth to seven pups throughout their entire lifetime. This makes them exceptionally susceptible to overfishing.
The Demand for Shark and Ray Products
The demand for shark and ray products is multifaceted:
- Shark Fins: A prized ingredient in luxury Chinese cuisine, particularly shark fin soup.
- Shark Meat: Increasingly marketed as a low-cost protein source and commonly found in pet food.
- Shark Liver Oil: Harvested for squalene, a key component in skincare products, pharmaceuticals, and even COVID-19 vaccines.
- Manta Ray Gill Plates: Used in some traditional Asian medicines, despite a lack of scientific evidence supporting their purported benefits.
CITES COP20: A Turning Point for Marine Conservation
The decisions made at CITES COP20 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, represent a significant turning point. For much of its 50-year history, CITES primarily focused on protecting terrestrial species. While iconic marine species like sea turtles received attention, sharks and rays were often overlooked. In the last decade, however, CITES has begun to recognize the urgency of protecting these vulnerable marine creatures.
Unprecedented Global Support
This year, all proposed protections for sharks and rays were adopted with largely unanimous support from CITES’ 185 member countries and the European Union – a first in the convention’s history. The European Union, a major supplier of shark meat to Asian markets (accounting for over 20% of global trade according to the World Wildlife Fund), played a crucial role in this consensus.
Appendix I & II Listings: What They Mean
CITES utilizes a tiered system of protection through its Appendices:
- Appendix I: Lists species facing a real risk of extinction due to trade. International commercial trade in these species is prohibited. Oceanic whitetip sharks, whale sharks, manta rays, and devil rays have been added to Appendix I.
- Appendix II: Requires strict regulation of international trade to ensure it is sustainable and traceable. Gulper sharks, smoothhound sharks, and tope sharks have been listed under Appendix II.
The listing of species under Appendix II requires countries to demonstrate that trade is both traceable and biologically sustainable. A temporary suspension of trade has also been implemented for wedgefish and giant guitarfish, highly valued for their fins.
Addressing Enforcement Gaps and Illegal Trade
While the new CITES listings are a major victory, significant challenges remain. Research published in November by Cardeñosa and Warwick revealed alarming discrepancies between reported trade and actual trade in shark fins. Genetic analysis of fins in Hong Kong, the world’s largest shark fin market, detected more than 70 times the number of oceanic whitetip shark fins reported in official CITES records between 2015 and 2021. This indicates that over 90% of the trade in this species is illegal, even while it was already listed under Appendix II.
The Role of Technology in Combating Illegal Trade
Diego Cardeñosa, assistant professor at Florida International University, emphasizes the need for improved enforcement. His lab is developing new technologies to combat the illegal trade of sharks, including advanced DNA analysis techniques to identify species and origin. These tools are crucial for closing loopholes and prosecuting illegal shipments.
The Cosmetic Industry and Squalene
Gabriel Vianna, a shark researcher from the Charles Darwin Foundation, highlights the role of the cosmetic industry in driving the trade of gulper sharks for their liver oil, which contains squalene. He advocates for the use of synthetic alternatives to squalene, arguing that exploiting vulnerable shark species is unsustainable. The increasing use of squalene in pharmaceuticals, including COVID-19 vaccines, further underscores the need for sustainable alternatives.
Looking Ahead: Implementation and Continued Vigilance
The success of these new protections hinges on effective implementation. Countries must invest in:
- Identification Tools: To accurately identify shark and ray species and their products.
- Capacity Building: To train enforcement officials and customs agents.
- Routine Monitoring: To track trade patterns and detect illegal activity.
As Vianna notes, the new listings are bittersweet. While a cause for celebration, they also highlight the severity of the problem. Continued vigilance, robust enforcement, and a commitment to sustainable practices are essential to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures. The landmark decisions at CITES COP20 offer a beacon of hope, but the fight to protect sharks and rays is far from over. GearTech will continue to monitor and report on developments in marine conservation and the innovative technologies being used to protect our oceans.
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