We are only now getting a true understanding of the scale and scope of the shark meat trade, says WCS's @lukedavid301.bsky.social.

Upcoming #CITES #CoP20 will include urgently needed proposals to protect the world’s most threatened species.

🌏 news.mongabay.com/2025/08/mong...

This week in Mombasa, the Government of Kenya is bringing countries together to build momentum for new global protections for sharks and rays under CITES. 🌍

ICYMI: I wrote about this year's shark conservation proposals at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a powerful wildlife conservation meeting.

Please read and share!

@wcs.org @lukedavid301.bsky.social @therevelator.org

therevelator.org/cites-sharks/ 🧪🦑🌎🦈

Register for Sharks International 2026 is today!

🦈 Join a global community at #SI2026 in Sri Lanka, 4-8 May! Registration includes access to all sessions, keynotes, sides events, and the welcome reception. Don’t miss out, register now for #SI2026!

🔗https://si2026.org/

Something to celebrate this #SharkWeek. Global shark and ray management has improved at a rate and scale that was previously lacking, according to a recent study co-authored by WCS.

This is due to implementation of CITES listings. Gaps remain, though.

🌏 bit.ly/3Tn1cPi

ICYMI: I have a new op-ed in @therevelator.org all about this year's shark conservation proposals at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, a powerful UN wildlife conservation meeting.

Learn what's at stake: therevelator.org/cites-sharks/

@wcs.org 🧪🦑🌎🦈🐟 #SciComm

I have a new op-ed out today about how new proposals at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species can help protect sharks! Please read and share. therevelator.org/cites-sharks/ 🧪🦑🌎🦈

NEWS: @CITES shark and ray listings have driven improved global shark and ray management at a rate and scale that was previously lacking, says new study.

Uneven implementation underscores urgent need for continued investment.

🌏 bit.ly/3Tn1cPi

Countries seek urgent #CITES protection of more than 70 sharks and rays, writes @mongabay.com.

These listings could be a “key catalyst for conservation action,” says @lukedavid301.bsky.social.

🌎 bit.ly/40yHDHx

For more information see the WCS news release on these proposals here: newsroom.wcs.org/News-Release...

All of these proposals will be decided on at CITES CoP20 in Uzbekistan, 24 November - 5 December 2025- where stronger CITES action offers a last chance to ensure iconic species such as manta rays and whale sharks thrive in the world’s oceans for generations to come

Smoothounds are prized for their meat in dishes from fish and chips in Australia to Ceviche in Latin America, with several species in the family already Endangered- this family, that is the core of the global shark meat trade clearly needs CITES sustainability oversight

Gulper sharks are traded for their high-value liver oil used in luxury cosmetics, these deepwater species have already suffered declines of over 80% in some regions. With slow reproduction and no trade controls, the CITES Appendix II listing is urgently needed to prevent further overexploitation.

CITES Parties are also looking at other trade threats via AppII proposals that cover large parts of the trade in shark oil and meat trade limiting trade to sustainable levels. The proposals would bring regulation of the shark fin trade under CITES to over 96% of species in trade.

All of the stronger trade controls proposed for these threatened sharks and rays can be implemented by Governments all around the world using identification guides for fisheries, customs and enforcement officials that are already freely available: citessharks.org/visual-ident...

Additional proposals look to protect Wedgefish & Giant Guitarfish-the most threatened families of sharks and rays, with fins commanding the highest price in global shark fin markets. A proposed zero quota will apply a commercial trade ban similar to an App I listing

A new study released today from Hong Kong shows wedgefish, oceanic whitetip and whale shark fins continue to pour into this global trade hub illegally from all over the world – this stronger action from CITES is needed now: www.bloomassociation.org/en/wp-conten...

Headline proposals are to move Whale and Oceanic Whitetip sharks, and all Manta & Devil Rays on CITES Appendix I - CITES strongest step that will ban all commercial trade in these iconic marine wildlife species -A bold attempt to curb their freefall toward extinction @ #CITESCoP20

BREAKING: Governments act on the shark and ray extinction crisis by proposing increased protections for 70+ species of shark and ray via CITES listings at upcoming CoP20. 7 listing proposals, the most for sharks ever considered at a CITES meeting + more than 50 governments adding their names.

Over the last decade CITES action has focused on shark fin trade. 90% of it is now regulated. We must now address other drivers of shark overfishing. Two other new proposals look to unsustainable oil and meat trades. These would ensure both gulper and smoothound shark trade is legal and sustainable.

Whale sharks, oceanic whitetips, wedgefish, manta rays—these iconic species need the same protections as tigers or gorillas. New #CITES proposals out now to prohibit commercial trade are “clearly justified,” says WCS’s @lukedavid301.bsky.social.

🌏 bit.ly/46jYIbN

Join us for a special #REELWILDNY screening of The Last Dive and a panel discussion with the award-winning filmmaker, Cody Sheehy, and WCS experts like @lukedavid301.bsky.social.

🗓️ Wednesday, June 11, at 7 pm
🌎 At WCS’s New York Aquarium
🎟️ Tickets: bit.ly/4jhmvfr

60k+ seabirds, Critically Endangered sharks and rays, and reefs full of fish. Latham Island is one of Tanzania’s most ecologically significant marine ecosystems.

Now, a first-of-its-kind expedition by WCS and partners is paving the way for its protection: bit.ly/3Guyd8E 🌍