Shark Trust: ‘Conservationists are delighted that CITES* Parties have officially listed devil rays, thresher sharks, and the Silky Shark under CITES Appendix II. The listing proposals were supported by more than the two-thirds majority required for adoption in Committee on Monday, and finalised today in Plenary.

“This is a big win for all these species of sharks and rays as governments around the world will now have to act to ensure that trade is from sustainable and legal fisheries,” said Andy Cornish of the WWF. Nine devil rays, the three thresher sharks, and the Silky Shark were proposed by countries all over the globe for listing under CITES Appendix II, which obligates Parties to put in place international trade restrictions to ensure exports are sustainable and legal. “We are elated by the resounding support for safeguarding the devil rays, some of the oceans’ most vulnerable animals,” said Sonja Fordham of Shark Advocates International.  Devil rays have just one pup every two or three years, leaving them exceptionally susceptible to overfishing. Ali Hood of the Shark Trust noted, “While we’re pleased by this important decision to regulate trade in Silky Sharks, we stress that complementary fishing limits and measures to reduce incidental catch are key to the effective conservation of this species.” Click here to read more.