Governments at a wildlife trade conference in Uzbekistan agreed to protective measures for more than 70 species of sharks and rays amid growing concern that overfishing is driving many toward extinction.
Delegates at the meeting debated listings that would limit international trade in several shark and ray species, aiming to curb demand and buy time for populations to recover. The move reflects mounting scientific evidence that many cartilaginous fish are declining because of intense fishing pressure and unregulated markets. Countries backing the measures argued that trade controls are a necessary tool to prevent irreversible loss. Opponents warned of economic impacts on coastal communities that rely on fishing.
Sharks and rays have long been caught both intentionally and as bycatch, and their slow growth and low reproductive rates make them especially vulnerable when removals spike. Fisheries targeting these species or taking them incidentally can quickly erode population resilience, especially where management and monitoring are weak. International trade can amplify pressure by creating lucrative markets for fins, meat, and gill plates that cross borders. The conference proposals were framed as a way to disrupt trade chains that incentivize overfishing.
The protective measures under consideration would place species on a schedule that requires permitting and trade documentation, which proponents say will increase transparency. Such controls do not automatically ban fishing, but they do create legal obligations for exporting and importing nations to ensure shipments are sustainable and legal. That paperwork can make illicit trade riskier and raise the cost of laundering illegal catches into global markets. Enforcement, however, depends on states investing in monitoring, port inspections, and customs cooperation.
Scientists who have tracked declines emphasized the need for coordinated action across regions and gear types to address both targeted removals and incidental catch. Many shark and ray species migrate across national boundaries, which makes single-country management insufficient. International agreements aim to standardize measures so recovery efforts are not undermined by inconsistent rules. Researchers highlighted the value of better data collection to set limits and track whether trade restrictions are having the intended effect.
Fisheries managers and industry representatives at the conference stressed that any restrictions must be paired with support for communities that depend on the sea. Practical measures include funding for gear changes to reduce bycatch, training for sustainable practices, and programs that diversify local economies. Without that parallel effort, the cost of conservation can fall hardest on small-scale fishers who lack alternatives. Negotiators signaled an awareness of that balance, but specifics on financial or technical aid remained to be negotiated.
Enforcement challenges were a recurring theme, since many ports and customs agencies lack resources to check shipments in detail or identify protected species reliably. Improved species identification tools and stronger cooperation between source and destination countries were recommended to close loopholes. Technology such as DNA testing can help, but it requires investment and training to be useful at scale. Several delegations urged donor countries and international bodies to prioritize capacity building in hotspots of illegal and unreported catch.
Market responses will also shape the outcome. If buyers in high-demand markets shift preferences or face stricter import checks, the economic incentive to catch and trade vulnerable species could fall. Some businesses are already moving to source alternatives or to certify that their products come from sustainable fisheries. Campaigners argue that consumer awareness campaigns can reduce demand for high-risk products, while industry groups warn that abrupt market changes without planning could harm livelihoods.
Conservationists welcomed the conference decisions as a step forward, saying that formal trade controls can prevent the most at-risk species from sliding into extinction. They pointed to examples where trade restrictions, combined with local management, produced recoveries. Skeptics cautioned that listings alone are not a cure; they urged clearer timelines, monitoring benchmarks, and commitments to support affected communities. The debate underscored the complexity of protecting wide-ranging marine species while maintaining viable coastal economies.
Next steps include translating the adopted measures into national law and setting up the monitoring systems that will determine whether protections work in practice. That process will involve fisheries agencies, customs officials, scientists, and civil society organizations across many countries. Success will depend on political will, technical capacity, and sustained funding to make trade controls more than just a paper exercise. Observers left the conference encouraged that action had been taken, while recognizing that conservation of sharks and rays will require long-term effort and cooperation.
