Sharks and rays get a major win with new international trade limits for 70+ species

[marmar]

Sharks and rays get a major win with new international trade limits for 70+ species
Published: December 12, 2025 8:53am EST

Gareth J. Fraser
Associate Professor of Evolutionary Developmental Biology, University of Florida


(The Conversation) The world’s oceans are home to an exquisite variety of sharks and rays, from the largest fishes in the sea – the majestic whale shark and manta rays – to the luminescent but rarely seen deep-water lantern shark and guitarfishes.

The oceans were once teeming with these extraordinary and ancient species, which evolved close to half a billion years ago. However, the past half-century has posed one of the greatest tests yet to their survival. Overfishing, habitat loss and international trade have cut their numbers, putting many species on a path toward extinction within our lifetimes.

Scientists estimate that 100 million (yes, million) sharks and rays are killed each year for food, liver oil and other trade.

....(snip)....



That’s why countries around the world agreed in December 2025 to add more than 70 shark and ray species to an international wildlife trade treaty’s list for full or partial protection.

It’s an important move that, as a biologist who studies sharks and rays, I believe is long overdue. ....................(more)

https://theconversation.com/sharks-and-rays-get-a-major-win-with-new-international-trade-limits-for-70-species-271386

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1. 100 million

God..I am glad shark fin soup has been banned. That’s an especially obscene one. At least they aren’t factory farmed I guess.
The foie gras ban was another AR victory. I hope Octopus factory farming never gets a headstart.