In a historic move, countries worldwide have reached a consensus to impose significant bans and restrictions on international trade of sharks and rays threatened with extinction. This marks a turning point in marine conservation efforts.

Last week, over 70 species—including the oceanic whitetip shark, whale shark, and manta ray—gained new protections under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As a UN-backed treaty, CITES mandates member nations to regulate or halt cross-border trade of species at risk, aiming to prevent their population collapse.

Sharks and rays serve as crucial apex predators, maintaining the balance of marine ecosystems. Their overexploitation has fueled a lucrative global market estimated at nearly $1 billion annually. According to Luke Warwick, director of shark and ray conservation at the Wildlife Conservation Society, safeguarding these species is vital for ocean health.

Experts emphasize that these measures could significantly slow down the decline of vulnerable species, ensuring their survival for future generations and the overall stability of marine environments.

David Nield

Dave is a freelance tech journalist with over 20 years covering gadgets, apps, and the web. From Stockport, England, he covers news, features, and reviews for TechRadar, focusing on phones, tablets, and wearables. He ensures top weekend breaking news and has bylines at Gizmodo, T3, PopSci, and others. He edited PC Explorer and The Hardware Handbook for years. Read me on x.com or linkedin.