The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) has enacted sweeping new trade protections for sharks and rays while nixing proposals to do the same for sea cucumbers and eels at the 20th conference of parties (COP20) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.
CITES is meeting from 24 November through 5 December and discussing over 100 proposals that could shift trade rules for species. Seven of those proposals concerned aquatic species, with three – eels, sharks, and sea cucumbers – drawing concern from the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA).
While the meeting is still underway, CITES has already made decisions on the three species, with mixed results for conservation and trade.
The largest action between the three species of industry concern was taken for sharks, with member countries of CITES passing every single shark and ray proposal presented at COP20, covering more than 70 species of shark and ray. Those protections included listing oceanic whitetip sharks, manta and devil rays, and whale sharks on Appendix I of CITES, meaning international commercial trade of the three species is now completely banned.
CITES also decided to suspend all exports of wild-caught specimens of wedgefish and giant guitarfish and placed gulper sharks, smooth-hound sharks, and tope sharks on Appendix II – which means those species will require permits and non-detriment findings for any trade.
“This is a landmark victory, and it belongs to the Parties who championed these protections,” Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Director of Shark and Ray Conservation Luke Warwick said of the new regulations. “These decisions could not be more urgent: Sharks and rays are the second most imperiled group of species on the planet, and many are running out of time.”
ICFA said it was most concerned about moving smooth-hound sharks into Appendix II because it could cause issues for species that are well-regulated and sustainable.
“In the Northeast Atlantic, catches concern almost exclusively the starry smooth-hound (Mustelus asterias), a species abundant and sustainably exploited according to 2025 ICES scientific advice,” ICFA said.
ICFA pointed out that the FAO Expert Panel had reviewed the proposal and found smooth-hound sharks did not meet the criteria for international trade restrictions. However, CITES ultimately decided to add all smooth-hound shark species to Appendix II. The higher listing does not go so far as banning international trade of the species, but any trade will now require proof that the catch and sale is of a sustainable species.
Two other conservation measures of concern to the seafood industry did not pass. A push to list 17 different species of eel to Appendix II of CITES was denied, with 25 countries for and 100 against the proposal.
ICFA had opposed the increased listing, as had the Canadian Committee for a Sustainable Eel Fishery (CCSEF).
“A CITES II listing would have undermined First Nations seeking greater fishery participation and disrupted plans to relocate global-scale eel aquaculture and processing from China to North America using locally caught elvers,” CCSEF said.
CCSEF also said the listing would have posed problems for fisheries of the American eel, Anguilla rostrata, which occupies a broad range of the east coast of North America and has been fished sustainably.
“Its population numbers in the hundreds of millions, with tens of millions in its annual breeding pool. Canada’s longest-running index of baby eel returns to Nova Scotia shows a rise in recruitment over three decades,” CCSEF said.
The WCS said it was “deeply disappointed” by CITES’ decision to not list eels under Appendix II.
“The decision leaves this iconic migratory fish – already threatened by overfishing, illegal trade, habitat fragmentation from dams, pollution, disease, and climate change – without the international oversight urgently needed to support recovery and prevent further decline,” WCS President of International Policy Susan Lieberman said.
A measure to list sea cucumbers under Appendix II also did not pass, but the CITES committee did agree to list the golden sandfish. A proposal to list six other species was rejected, according to CITES.
ICFA had opposed a listing for sea cucumbers for similar reasons to its opposition to smooth-hound sharks being listed under Appendix II. The FAO Expert Panel said it did not meet scientific thresholds and certain species are highly productive and part of sustainable fisheries.
